A MAN who stole over £150 of toiletries in two days from an Aberystwyth shop needed money to pay for drugs, a court has heard.

Simon Tansey, of Flat 3, 3 Custom House Street, was caught on CCTV in Superdrug twice in two days putting items into a carrier bag and leaving without paying, but was caught when he returned on a third occasion.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and a charge of attempted theft.

Prosecutor Rhian Jones said Tansey was first caught on CCTV when he entered the shop on 15 July and put a range of men’s toiletries in a bag before leaving.

He did the same thing the next day and was seen on the CCTV footage by the store assistant manager taking the items.

Tansey returned to Superdrug on 20 July, but was approached by a staff member who saw him put more toiletries in a bag. The staff member stopped Tansey, removed the items and detained him.

Following his arrest, Tansey, 43, told police officers that he had been “silly”.

Magistrates heard that Tansey has a problem with heroin. Tansey was given a 12-month community order with a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

He will also have to complete 15 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement. Magistrates also ordered him to pay a fine of £80, compensation of £156 and costs totalling £170.