A MAN breached his suspended sentence through a "silly offence" of shoplifting in Chester city centre.
Declan Black, 28, of Catalan Close, Winsford, pleaded guilty to stealing £265 of items from Boots on August 23.
Appearing at Chester Crown Court on Monday, October 8, Judge Simon Berkson opted not to send Black to prison but imposed a three-month curfew and a 12-month community order.
The court heard Black was fully co-operational with police after being arrested and put the offence down to being in drink when the offence occurred, having lost casual work.
Black had previously been sentenced to an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, in December 2016 for possession of an offensive weapon and handling stolen goods.
Judge Berkson said: "You were doing quite well until a silly offence of shoplifting on August 23 at Boots. You admitted that offence straight off and were full of remorse.
"You were very close to going to prison today."
The three-month curfew will see Black electronically tagged and he is not to leave his home address between 8pm and 6am.
The 12-month community order is to include 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.
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