A MAN found himself back in the dock after stealing hundreds of pounds worth of stock from a pet shop.

Rupert Kilshaw, of Chester Road West in Queensferry, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Friday.

The 27-year-old admitted that on November 7 he stole dog coats worth more than £300 from Pets at Home in Flintshire.

Prosecutor Shane Maddocks told the court that police were notified by the company that Kilshaw had entered the store, made his way to the dog aisle and taken 19 coats.

He made no effort to pay when he left with them.

All-in-all, the coats were worth some £359.01.

Gary Harvey, defending, told the court: "I spoke to him this morning and we looked at the [CCTV] video.

"He didn't have any recollection of the events of this day.

"It's fair to say that his life at the time of the incident was chaotic.

"He's now in a night shelter and he is fairly lightly convicted.

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"He has mental health issues and he hasn't committed any offences since last November."

The court heard Kilshaw has been engaging with the probation service as part of an ongoing community order imposed last year.

Catherine Wantling, Chair of the Magistrates, told the defendant: "You are in a precarious situation, but you do have a very good relationship with probation.

The Leader:

"They tell us you are doing your rehabilitation activity, you're opening up and you're getting support for your mental health.

"We don't want you gathering any pace in your offending."

The Court added a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement onto Kilshaw's community order and fined him £80.

He must also pay compensation to Pets at Home to the value of the stolen dog coats.