A SHOPLIFTER has been fined after targeting two city centre stores.

Jason Main, of HMP Forest Bank in Manchester, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court via video link on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old admitted three counts of theft from shop.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that on February 25, Main entered Deichmann Shoes UK in Wrexham City Centre and took two pairs of shoes.

He wrapped them in foil, concealed them and left without paying for them.

The goods stolen were worth £127.98.

A day later, he entered One Below in the city centre and took a number of items worth £49.50.

Finally, on March 7, he went back to Deichmann Shoes UK and took two more pairs of shoes, this time worth £120.98.

Main was identified following CCTV enquiries.

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Ms Jackson told the court he had 31 previous convictions for 67 offences; 40 of which were theft related.

Alex MacKenzie, defending, told the court: "The defendant finds himself in this situation; he's on prison recall and is due to be released, he believed, on Thursday or Friday.

"He entered an early guilty plea.

"These offences happened at a time when he was struggling with substances.

"He had accrued a significant drug debt.

"When he is released he anticipates he has a placement available in a rehab facility, so he will be getting specialist help.

The Leader:

"I'd request that we don't interfere with his release plan."

Ms MacKenzie suggested the court could impose a non-custodial sentence but order the defendant to pay compensation.

The Magistrates handed down a fine of £180 and ordered the defendant to pay £296.46 in compensation, as well as £85 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.