A DAD resorted to stealing a Christmas gift for his children from a town centre store as he had been released from jail with nothing, a court heard.

Anthony Roberts, from Longmoor Lane in Liverpool, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 41-year-old, who appeared via video link from HMP Altcourse in Liverpool, admitted that on Christmas Eve last year, he stole a gift set from Eagles meadow worth just under £100.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, said Roberts was detained by security officers after he selected and took a fragrance set from Boots worth £99.50.

It was recovered after he was caught.

The Leader: The item was taken from Boots in Wrexham's Eagles MeadowThe item was taken from Boots in Wrexham's Eagles Meadow

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Emma Simoes, defending, told the court: "He was released from HMP Berwyn on Christmas Eve with no money - nothing.

"He has three children and he needed to go back to the Liverpool area, but he didn't want to go back empty handed.

"He said he went to boots and saw the gift set, and it was to be a present for one of his children."

Paul Rudd JP handed down a four week prison sentence to be served concurrently to Roberts' ongoing jail time.

He imposed a victim surcharge of £128.

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