A SERIAL offender stole six bottles of spirits from a convenience store claiming he needed to feed himself and his two dogs.

Joshua Brian Parker, 30, took the alcohol worth £128.98 from the Co-op store in Bala less than a month after he had appeared in court charged with similar offences following a number of thefts from Co-op stores in Wrexham, Coedpoeth and Denbigh.

Wrexham Magistrates Court heard how Parker, of Garner Road, Wrexham, entered the store on February 15 and placed two 70cl bottles of Jameson whiskey, one litre bottle of Bells whiskey, one litre bottle of Famous Grouse whiskey, one litre bottle of Russian vodka and one litre bottle of Captain Morgan's rum into a rucksack and then picked up a newspaper before going to the tills and only paying for the newspaper.

The theft was picked up on CCTV and a police officer who recognised Garner, later found him sitting at a bus stop with the rucksack and stolen items.

Parker, who is profoundly deaf and mute, was arrested and in interview communicated to officers that he had "no choice" but to steal the items as he needed to buy food for his dogs and himself.

The court heard that Parker has 21 convictions for 43 offences and was in breach of suspended 16 week sentence for three thefts imposed on January 19 this year.

Emma Simoes, defending, said her client was addicted to drugs and these were the catalyst for his offending.

She described Parker as "very isolated" and probation services had struggled to work with him due to his disability.

"I find it quite alarming that someone who needs help cannot find it because he is deaf and mute," said Ms Simoes.

She said that funding was hopefully being raised to send Parker to a specialist mental health unit in Manchester which deals with deaf people who have alcohol and drug problems and that he was very keen to get rehabilitation.

"It is extremely difficult for him to get the help he needs so this is a huge opportunity for him," added Ms Simoes.

Chair of the bench, Catherine Wantling, agreed that there was "strong personal mitigation" involved with Parker's offending and extended his suspended sentence from 16 weeks to 14 months.

He was also fined £40 for the fine and will pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £30.

Ms Wantling added: "We hope you get the funding and you will have success in the unit.

"You have many years ahead of you but only you can make the change and we wish you great luck in this endeavour."