Christopher Gardner stole chocolate bars from a WH Smiths branch.
A MAN with 73 theft matters on his record walked into a shop and helped himself to more than 100 chocolate bars, a court has heard.
Christopher Gardner stole the sweet treats from the WH Smith's branch in Swansea's Quadrant centre on October 6, the day the centre opened its doors late for a special student shopping evening.
Swansea Magistrates Court heard that the theft came to light the following day when staff did a stock count and found 117 bars worth £110 were missing - CCTV was checked and Gardner was seen walking up and down the aisles picking up seven boxes of chocolate bars.
The 28-year-old was arrested two weeks later when he returned to the shop and stole some more chocolate bars — a member of staff recognised him and called police.
In his police interview he said he was struggling to buy food and pay for his heroin addiction.
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Gardner, of Henrietta Street, Swansea city centre, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft — and to breaching a suspended sentence which had been imposed in September for other thefts — when he appeared before justices.
The court heard he has 49 previous convictions for 102 offences, some 73 of which are for theft and like matters.
Craig Harding, for Gardner, admitted his client had an "unenviable record" but said he had been engaging with the probation service in recent weeks, and was working towards getting a prescription for a heroin substitute.
Magistrates activated four weeks of Gardner's previously imposed suspended sentence, and sentenced him to a total of four weeks for the new offences, both sentences to run consecutively making a total of eight weeks.
Magistrates did not make an order for compensation or for costs, but Gardner will have to pay mandatory £115 surcharge.
Jason Evans / jason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk / @EvansTheCrime
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