A ONE-LEGGED homeless man has been handed a conditional discharge after admitting to three charges of shoplifting.

Dennis Paul Twilley, 47, who had to have one of his legs removed due to his long-term drug addiction, was quite candid in his reasons for stealing the items, as he arrived in court in a wheelchair.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told Mold Magistrates Court how Tilley had stolen items from three stores around Wrexham in May and June this year, including more than £100 worth of meat from the Co-op. Although some of the stolen items had been recovered when Police later stopped Twilley, they were not able to be re-sold due to the time that had lapsed after they had been taken from the store.

Ian Barnes, defending, said Twilly, who has three children, one of whom is a teacher, had suffered a very traumatic childhood, including losing both of his parents by the age of nine and because they had been living in Australia at the time, had been returned to the UK and placed into care. Mr Barnes went on to say how the removal of his leg had led to Twilley suffering complications, including regular infections, due to the fact he was living on the streets. He added that Twilley had stolen the items in order to pay drug debts.

District Judge Gwyn Jones told Twilley he "had his issues and had paid the price for using drugs" as he handed him an 18 month conditional discharge. Twilley must also pay court related costs of £106 and compensation to the three stores in the question for the items stolen.