A MAN who stole hundreds of pounds worth of items from shops and a vehicle was doing so simply "to feed himself," a court heard.

Ashley Busch, of High Street in Coedpoeth, was produced in custody at Wrexham Magistrates Court for sentence on Wednesday afternoon.

The 36-year-old had admitted a raft of offences at a previous hearing, including; five counts of theft, two of fraud and one of handling stolen goods.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court the thefts included £89.55 worth of goods from Euro Garages in Holt Road in October, when Busch selected a number of items and left without paying.

He went on to steal £48 worth of goods from Tesco and £50 from Boots, Mr Espie added.

In November, the defendant came into possession of another person's HSBC bank card - for which he was charged with the handling offence.

He then used that card to buy £52 worth of goods.

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The court heard he also stole a number of items from a vehicle parked up in Wrexham in January.

Those items were worth more than £303.32 and included a coat, cosmetics and a handbag.

The Leader: Ashley Busch (NWP)Ashley Busch (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)Stevie Bate, defending, told the court: "He entered a guilty plea to all matters at the first opportunity.

"He's completely ashamed and embarrassed about the reason why he committed these offences.

"At the time, he had no income. In short, he was stealing to feed himself."

Busch appeared in custody after breaking his bail conditions, namely the curfew.

Ms Bate said this came about because the address he'd been bailed to was his grandmothers and - due to him not having his prescription at that time - was using drugs which he didn't want his grandmother to see.

The Leader:

"In the week he's been in custody he's thankfully received his script," she continued.

"He feels in a completely different frame of mind now he's on that and in terms of his aim, he tells me he when he's released he wants to come off the drugs entirely."

The court jailed Busch for a total of 18 weeks and ordered him to pay compensation equal to the value of all items he stole.

No costs or victim surcharge were imposed.