A homeless man turned to shoplifting out of "desperation" because he wanted to be returned to custody where he feels "warm and safe."

Jason Haynes, of no fixed abode, was produced in custody at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday, having been arrested on Sunday.

The 42-year-old admitted two offences of shoplifting, which took place in Wrexham on September 8.

Prosecutor Helen Hall told the court that on the day in question, Haynes went into Aldi at Plas Coch and was spotted selecting a bottle of wine - which he placed in a bag and made to leave.

But staff stopped him and recovered the item.

The defendant then walked straight to the Spar in Rhosddu Road, where he selected and concealed a bottle of fortified wine and put it in his bag.

He left with the item, but was stopped in the car park by police, who recovered the wine.

Ceri Lewis, defending, told the court: "These are not sophisticated offences.

"He said it was an act of desperation as on September 5, he'd been released from custody and was promised housing which wasn't forthcoming.

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"He did it (the shoplifting) in the hope of being recalled to prison because he has been living homeless since February.

"He just wants to go back to custody and to be safe and warm because people are taking advantage of him when he's intoxicated; assaulting him and putting videos of him online."

However the court deemed the offences had not crossed the custody threshold.

Haynes was told he'd have ordinarily received a fine of £100 for each theft - but he was deemed to have already served time in custody in lieu of the fines, so no further punishment was imposed.

No costs were ordered.