A MAN from Rhos-on-Sea stole more than £1,250 worth of goods in three thefts in an attempt to repay his own “drug debts”.

Bradley Roberts, 23, of First Avenue, was handed a 12-month community order at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court today (March 25).

He had admitted three counts of theft from a shop.

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The court heard that, on November 1, 2023, at the Asda store in Llandudno, Roberts stole a trolley full of goods, the total value of which was £513.36.

A security officer spotted Roberts and went after him, and managed to recover the stolen items and return them to the store.

On November 9, Roberts entered Boots in Llandudno with another male, where he stole three Lady Million and six Hugo Boss perfumes, the total value of which was £756.

At the Co-op store in Rhos-on-Sea on February 25, 2024, Roberts then stole a four-pint bottle of milk and a 10-pack of Stella Artois lager, worth a total value of £13.65.

All three of these thefts were captured on closed circuit television, with a total cumulative value of items stolen of £1,283.01.

Roberts had four previous convictions for nine offences, and has formerly been convicted for theft and going equipped for burglary.

In mitigation, the court heard that Roberts’ motivation for the thefts was to acquire items to sell to pay back his own “drug debts”, as well as for personal use and to provide some family provisions.

A father of two young children, he “had a constant desire” to be using cannabis, but now uses it minimally to help him fall asleep.

He is looking to find work to help pay off his debts, his defence solicitor told the court.

Per the terms of his community order, Roberts will complete 80 hours’ unpaid work and 20 days’ rehabilitation activity requirements within the next 12 months.

Roberts is to pay £756 and £13.65 in compensation to Boots and the Co-op respectively.

The District Judge presiding over the case told him: “The level of offending here is quite high for someone of your limited background.

“You need to nip this in the bud now.”