A BLAENAU Ffestiniog man stole two bottles of cider brazenly from a Co-op store despite being previously banned from the shop, a court has heard.

David McAuley, a once talented fell-runner, ignored staff at the Blaenau Ffestiniog shop.

But now he is starting a 12-week jail term imposed by magistrates at Llandudno after admitting theft, criminal damage at a flat, and a suspended sentence was activated.

Deborah Davies, defending, said McAuley, 48, of Hafan Deg, was “very nervous and timid” and thought he was dying.

When he was aged under 21 he came third for Britain in fell-­running, she said.