A MAN who stole coffee from a city centre store planned to sell it to pay for his drugs, a court heard.

Robert Allen, of Bryn Awel Court in Gwersyllt, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court for sentence on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old had admitted one offence at a previous hearing; namely the theft of coffee from B&M at Border Retail Park in Wrexham.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on February 3, Allen entered the store and selected coffee worth just over £50.

He then left without paying for the items and was identified later via CCTV.

A probation officer told the court: "He describes there being pressure from another person to go and steal items - which he intended to resell to gain money to fund his substance misuse habit.

"He described feeling very embarrassed and remorseful and at the time he had been living on the street due to issues in his accommodation.

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"He has been using heroin since he was 25 and has had issues with drugs back to the age of 14, triggered by his parents splitting up, so there's been a long history of substance misuse."

Euros Jones, defending, made brief representations to the court following the probation report.

He described his client as "a vulnerable man" who wanted support.

District Judge Gwyn Jones said to Allen: "There are certain issues in your life which need to be addressed.

The Leader:

"Making an order today will hopefully provide that support."

The defendant was made the subject of a 12 month community order with 15 days of rehabilitation activity and a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

He must pay £51.96 in compensation, as well as £85 costs.