A LLANGWYRYFON man who stole a pair of jeans from an Aberystwyth shop has moved out of the town and returned to his parents’ home as he needed to “get away”, magistrates have heard.

Andrew Raymond Scott, 22, had told his solicitor Janem Jones that his life had “gone AWOL” when he left home at 16 and moved into Aberystwyth, and that he wanted that period of his life to end.

Scott pleaded guilty to theft from Matalan on 7 November, but initially told police he couldn’t remember the incident.

Prosecutor Kevin Challinor said police had stopped Scott and another person after a report of “suspicious activity”. When searching the two, they found a pair of jeans with tags still on them in the rucksack of the other man.

A check of the store’s CCTV showed the two walking up to the jeans before then leaving, and checks with staff at the shop showed the jeans had not been sold.

Scott initially told police he couldn’t remember the incident, but admitted that he had taken the jeans and put them up his jumper before walking out and giving them to the other person.

Mr Challinor said the conviction meant Scott had breached a conditional discharge imposed in October this year after he was convicted of criminal damage for cracking a pane of glass at a Tai Cantref property when he punched it.

Ms Jones said Scott had moved back with his parents and was addressing his issues with drugs and alcohol. She said he had wanted to “get away” from Aberystwyth and was grateful for the support of his family.

Scott is currently under post-sentence supervision after being released from prison and Ms Jones said that was progressing well.

Ms Jones said a probation service report suggested that he should be made subject to a community order that would help support him and address his issues.

Magistrates followed the recommendation and imposed a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and an order banning him from going to Matalan stores.

Scott, of Dol Wyre, was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £85.