Wrexham man stole clothes and food from Asda to give his four children a better Christmas

But Mark Hulse, of Burnham Gardens, was caught by security staff at Asda in Wrexham and he was arrested.

It meant that the 39-year-old spent Christmas Day alone in a police cell.

His solicitor Euros Jones told a special Boxing Day sitting of North East Wales Magistrates’ Court at Mold today (Wednesday, December 26) )that it was ironic that he had stolen in order to enhance Christmas for the four children.

“But he ended up spent Christmas alone in a police cell,” he explained.

He had been arrested on Christmas Eve afternoon and in view of the festive season had spent two days in custody for what was a low level shoplifting offence, he explained.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson said that the defendant and a female entered Asda in Holt Road.

He was monitored because he was seen to be acting suspiciously.

The defendant was seen to place a pair of ladies’ knickers in a pair of shoes in the trolley and groceries were also placed in it.

She said that the couple took the trolley to the supermarket cafe where they sat down and the female put plastic bags on top of the shopping.

Hulse was then seen to place the shopping in the bags and both left the cafe, heading for the exit.

They were stopped outside the store and the woman ran off.

Hulse was arrested and admitted the theft straight away.

All the stolen goods, valued at £66, were recovered in a resaleable condition.

Hulse in interview agreed that he entered the store and stole the items but said that the female knew nothing about it.

The defendant, who the court heard had previous convictions for 138 offences, was bailed and the case was adjourned for sentence until Friday.

Magistrates heard that a warrant had previously been issued for his arrest following an allegation breach of his community order.

Mr Jones said that his client was unaware of the outstanding warrant.

Hulse is not to enter any retail premises in the meantime as a bail condition.