A SHOPLIFTER who had a cancer scare has been jailed

A judge told Paul Field that he had left him with no option.

Field, 40, of Gardden Road in Ruabon, appeared from custody at North East Wales Magistrates Court where he admitted attempting to steal five jars of coffee from The Spar at Rhos.

It put him in breach of his post sentence supervision and he was jailed for a total of 30 days.

District judge Roger Lowe said Field had not engaged with the probation service after his release from custody.

"My hands are tied essentially, because of your lack of engagement," he said.

Defence solicitor Stephen Edwards told the Mold court his client's record for shoplifting was very poor indeed.

In November he was jailed for six weeks and was released on November 23.

The reason for his offending was his addiction to class A drugs over many years.

He said the only real stability he had in his life was the help and support he received from his mother.

The court heard that 12 to 18 months ago Field had a life-changing event when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

As a result of a significant deterioration in his health, surgical intervention was recommended.

He had an operation when a testicle was removed followed by a period of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Field had been told that was successful but "you are never out of the woods" and he needed regular blood tests.

Tests were due at the end of November or early December but it was his instructions that he had not been able to get the tests, even with the assistance of a probation officer.

Eventually he became so disillusioned, he accepted that he had disengaged from the probation service.

"He did not feel they were addressing the problems that were in the forefront of his mind," said Mr Edwards.

His priority was to try to ensure the all clear was continuing following his cancer scare.