A MAN who stole goods from a town centre shop whilst wearing an official police jacket has been sentenced.
Scott Simmonds, of Bethel Place in Connah's Quay, was produced in custody at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday morning.
The 35-year-old admitted two offences of shoplifting, and one of theft of a hi-vis jacket belonging to North Wales Police.
Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on Saturday (June 6), Simmonds went into the Spar in Brunswick Road, Buckley, and stole alcohol and baps worth some £34.65.
He returned to the shop that same day and took alcohol and sandwiches - but was challenged and the goods were recovered.
On that second occasion, he was wearing a police-issue hi-vis jacket, which Mr Espie told the court had been admitted as a "theft by finding."
Ceri Lewis, defending, told the court: "He made full and frank admissions to the police and has entered a timely guilty plea.
MORE COURT NEWS
- Flintshire man in the dock after strangling neighbour
- Mum jailed after showing off at car meet saw her inflict catastrophic injury
- Holywell man who was 'lookout' during attempted robbery jailed
"Regarding the thefts from the shop, he accepts he was stealing for himself as he is alcohol dependent.
"He wasn't stealing to sell the items; he consumed the alcohol and ate the food from the first incident.
"Regarding the jacket, he was living rough on Saturday and a friend gave him the jacket.
"He wasn't sure where it came from."
The Magistrates handed down a 12 month community order with a six month alcohol treatment requirement and 12 days of rehabilitation activity.
The defendant must pay compensation of £34.65 to Spar, as well as a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here