A MAN who stole goods from a town centre shop whilst wearing an official police jacket has been sentenced.

Scott Simmonds, of Bethel Place in Connah's Quay, was produced in custody at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

The 35-year-old admitted two offences of shoplifting, and one of theft of a hi-vis jacket belonging to North Wales Police.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on Saturday (June 6), Simmonds went into the Spar in Brunswick Road, Buckley, and stole alcohol and baps worth some £34.65.

He returned to the shop that same day and took alcohol and sandwiches - but was challenged and the goods were recovered.

On that second occasion, he was wearing a police-issue hi-vis jacket, which Mr Espie told the court had been admitted as a "theft by finding."

Ceri Lewis, defending, told the court: "He made full and frank admissions to the police and has entered a timely guilty plea.

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"Regarding the thefts from the shop, he accepts he was stealing for himself as he is alcohol dependent.

"He wasn't stealing to sell the items; he consumed the alcohol and ate the food from the first incident.

"Regarding the jacket, he was living rough on Saturday and a friend gave him the jacket.

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"He wasn't sure where it came from."

The Magistrates handed down a 12 month community order with a six month alcohol treatment requirement and 12 days of rehabilitation activity.

The defendant must pay compensation of £34.65 to Spar, as well as a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.