Thief Craig Judge’s bid for bail to attend his soldier brother’s “funeral” On Tuesday failed - when a weekend special court heard he died three years ago.

Jobless Judge, 34, of South Parade, Pensarn, Abergele, had described to a solicitor a “traumatic” few weeks after the road tragedy. “He’s anxious he can attend his brother’s funeral,” defence solicitor Richard Williams told magistrates at Llandudno.

But, after checking Judge’s story online, the prosecution discovered the tragedy happened in 2016. An online obituary for the funeral in December 2016 exists.

Drug user Judge was jailed for 32 weeks after he admitted five thefts mainly from Coop stores and failing to comply with a community order. Prosecutor Diane Williams said he had 165 previous convictions. He must pay £272 compensation.

Court chairwoman Siobhan Atkinson told the defendant :”You have been deliberately targeting especially the Coop.”

The defence said the serial shoplifter was trying to address his drugs issue. His gran had also died. “It seems, from what I am told, he’s had a fairly traumatic last few weeks,” Mr Williams said. “He tells me on Tuesday it’s his brother’s funeral. His brother was a serving soldier in Colchester and was killed as a result of a road traffic incident.”

 Judge also claimed he was “stealing to order.” Someone was bullying him and demanding money.