A WREXHAM man who stole perfume, corn beef and razor blades from a number of stores has been ordered to undergo drug rehabilitation.

Steven Edwards appeared in custody at North East Wales Magistrates’ Court charged with three offences of theft after failing to attend a previous hearing .

His solicitor, Emma Simoes, said Edwards had been hospitalised and was suffering from health problems.

He was arrested after three separate thefts. At Asda at Island Green in Wrexham he took two bottles of perfume which he planned to sell on.

Ten cans of corned beef he took from Heron Foods, also at Island Green, went in a stew he made for himself. While at Morrisons Wrexham store Edwards stole five packets of razor blades he passed on to another man. Magistrates told him to pay compensation totalling £230.90 to the three stores.

Ms Simoes, defending, suggested that a drug rehabilitation assessment was carried out on her client.

“I find it remarkable that one has not been done before as drugs have been a catalyst for his offending behaviour,” she said.

Edwards , 46, of Connor Crescent, Wrexham admitted three counts of theft on January 19, April 21 and May 22 this year. He was placed under a 12-month community order which includes a six-month drug rehabilitation programme.