AN Ellesmere Port sweets thief has been fined at Chester Magistrates Court today (Monday, December 10).

Thomas Steadman, 32, of Westminster Road, pleaded guilty to stealing £17.94 of sweets from B&M Bargains on October 6.

Steadman also admitted a charge which was brought forward, that of disorder when he verbally abused a woman on November 21.

He appeared from the cells on Monday as he was due to appear in court last Friday (December 7) for the theft case, but failed to turn up in court.

Defending, Stephen Ferns said Steadman thought his hearing was on Monday, which explained his absence.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds said Steadman was caught in the act when trying to steal the sweets at B&M Bargains, a short chase ensued and he was arrested but the sweets were not recovered.

The disorder came on November 21 when he had tried to get into a woman's vehicle. Police attended and the woman directed them to an alleyway where Steadman was, with an injury to his face.

Steadman shouted abusive language to the woman and was arrested and taken to hospital.

He had 31 previous convictions for 69 offences, many of them for theft and dishonesty including a conviction in early 2018 for a series of shoplifting offences.

At the time he was sentenced to a 12-month community order and this subsequent offending meant he was in breach of that, Mr Youds added.

Mr Ferns, defending, said at the time of the theft he had lost his job and "he went back to his old ways".

For the disorder offence, he had gone to visit a friend but did not realise they were having a party.

Steadman believed one of his drinks had been spiked while there in order to get him to stay at the house longer.

He was then punched in the face and was bleeding profusely – his injuries were such that police de-arrested him and he was taken to hospital to treat him for some time.

Although unemployed, he has since had an offer of work.

A report from probation heard Steadman had been complying with the existing community order.

Magistrates fined Steadman £40 for shoplifting, plus £18 compensation to B&M Bargains; a separate £40 fine for the public order offence and no separate penalty for failing to surrender to the court the previous Friday.

He must also pay £85 court costs.