A "SERIAL thief" from Newtown stole a pedal cycle worth £500 from outside the Northgate Arena, Chester magistrates heard.

Kevin Thomas Patrick Wallace, 54, was due to stand trial on Wednesday accused of stealing the bike which belonged to Rebecca Walley, but did not turn up for trial and was convicted in his absence.

Rob Youds, prosecuting, told Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday the offence happened on March 5. Ms Walley securely locked the bike with a cable and left it for an hour, but when she returned it had gone.

Police made enquiries and were able to obtain footage which showed a man with a plastic bag using bolt cutters to take the bike. Wallace was subsequently arrested.

The court heard in his defence, Wallace had intended to appear at court for the trial but had forgotten the date and, despite hot-footing it to the court on the day, arrived too late.

Wallace was an individual with a drug problem over the years and the theft occurred as he was under pressure to repay a debt.

The court heard his previous drug addiction problems were being addressed and his offending – he had 77 previous convictions – had reduced in recent times.

Magistrates said that, while Wallace was a "serial thief who should know by now he can't solve problems by taking people's property", they acknowledged his rate of offending had slowed down.

He was ordered to pay £500 compensation to Ms Walley plus £620 court costs and a victim surcharge of £85.

In addition, he Wallace was placed on a 7pm-7am curfew to last for five months, where he must not leave his address outside those times.