WITHIN hours of receiving a 12-month suspended prison sentence for drink-driving and driving whilst disqualified, a 35-year-old man stole a can of lager from the Spar in Barmouth.

Stephen Russell Nesbitt, of Flat 1, Beach House, Marine Parade, pleaded guilty to theft of a can of lager on 21 January.

Tracey Willingham, prosecuting, said the manager of the store isaw on CCTV that Nesbitt had put the can of lager into his trousers and made off without paying.

The crown prosecutor added that, earlier that day at Dolgellau court, Nesbitt had been given a suspended prison sentence for drink-driving and driving whilst disqualified.

She said Nesbitt had 56 previous conviction from 32 court appearances, mainly in the Telford area.

Defence solicitor Paul Nicholls told Dolgellau magistrates that his client and long-term partner had moved to Barmouth from Telford and he asked the court not to activate the suspended sentence.

He said the magistrates who imposed the suspended sentence realised that his client needed to tackle his consequential thinking, adding that what he did showed that he had not thought it through.

“The probation services are now working well with my client and he is responding.

“It would be beneficial to allow the probation service to continue,” he added.

Mr Nicholls said his client did have drug problems in the past, but was now free from drugs.

The defence solicitor was supported by the court probation officer who added: “ The defendant is realising and accepted that he has mental health needs,” she said.

Court chairman Sarah Foskett said they would not be activating the suspended sentence and added three months to the suspended sentence. Nesbitt was fined £40 for theft with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and £1.89p compensation.