A SHOPLIFTER has been ordered to pay back more than £450 in compensation after stealing from four Wrexham stores.

Darren Roberts, of Heol Y Wal in Bradley, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The 47-year-old had previously been convicted on nine counts of shoplifting, which took place between July and September this year at B&M, Halfords, Boots and Jollyes Pet Store.

Suzanne Cartwright, prosecuting, told the court that the thefts had amounted to more than £450 of loss across the four stores.

The amounts she sought in compensation were: £162.53 for B&M, £200 for Boots, £48.95 for Jollyes and £42.49 for Halfords.

Items stolen include coffee, washing items, fragrance testers and pet food.

Probation officer Tracey Flavell told the court: "It is evident there is a substance misuse issue - these offences are linked to funding his lifestyle and he accepts that to be the case.

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"He is open to engaging with support and trying to move forward."

Alex McKenzie, defending, asked the court to bear in mind her client's prompt guilty pleas and said the offending had come about due to a "significant decline" in his lifestyle and finances.

Presiding Justice Kristian Weaver made the defendant subject to a 12 month community order, with a six month drug rehabilitation requirement of six months ad 15 rehabilitation activity days.

He ordered the defendant to pay back the amounts sought by Ms Cartwright to the four affected businesses and said: "This is us trying to give you a helping hand.

"You have gone down the wrong path - we want to try and put the help you need in place."

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