A SHOPLIFTER has been ordered to pay out hundreds of pounds after taking skincare products from a city centre store.

Daniel Taylor, of Hoe Lane in Enfield, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday morning via video link from HMP Maghaberry in Northern Ireland.

The 44-year-old admitted that on February 2, he stole skincare products from Boots at Eagles Meadow, Wrexham.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, confirmed that the defendant's plea was entered on the basis that while the prosecution case stated the stolen goods were worth over £800, the defendant believed the value to be around £550.

The prosecutor said while the figures didn't match, it would not make a material difference to sentence and as such a newton hearing to determine whether the basis was acceptable was not required.

MORE COURT NEWS

On February 2, Mr Espie said, Taylor went into the Boots store and simply concealed the items in his jacket before leaving with them.

Defending himself, Taylor told the court: "Over the years I have managed to get my offending down.

"It's still a terrible record, I have to say, mainly down to drug use.

The Leader:

"And I've been in hospital two times in the last couple of years; one of which stopped me working for a year with a dislocated ankle and broken leg.

"The good news since I've been in prison, I've been attending meetings and I am clean again."

The Magistrates fined Taylor £80 for the offence and ordered him to pay compensation of £550, as well as £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.