A MAN with a long criminal record who stole hundreds of pounds worth of items from a garden centre in Ellesmere Port was spared immediate custody after the court heard he was turning his life around.

Shaun Barry Harold had over 90 previous convictions for over 180 offences, Chester Magistrates Court heard on Monday, September 20.

He had previously changed his plea to guilty for stealing items on two separate occasions from Burleydam Garden Centre, Chester Road, Childer Thornton, as well as verbally abusing a staff member.

But a "surprisingly" very positive pre-sentence report had shown Harold, who had been in prison since the offences originally took place, had made positive progress in his life.

District Judge Nicholas Sanders therefore handed Harold, 40, of Ward Grove, Rock Ferry, Wirral, a suspended sentence.

Prosecuting, Joshua Sanderson-Kirk said the first offence happened at 2pm on October 8, 2020, when a member of staff noticed Harold in the car park with a rucksack.

The rucksack was filled with 12-15 dog leads that had not been paid for, valued at £353.69, all belonging to the garden centre.

When grabbed by a member of staff, Harold shouted: "Assault" and verbally abused a member of staff before trying to escape via a car park fence.

On January 20, 2021, Harold returned to the garden centre, and this time was stopped in the store, where in his rucksack were £145 worth of Yankee Candles.

He verbally abused a member of staff.

When interviewed, Harold initially denied making the comments, but eventually pleaded guilty to the charge.

Defending, Sarah Fergusson said while Harold had a bad previous record, he had made positive progress and was keen to get on a programme of detoxification, having already taken steps to reduce his drugs intake.

She added that, unlike a few months ago when a prison sentence would have been the most appropriate sentence, the fact Harold had turned a corner meant there was now a prospect of rehabilitation.

DJ Sanders said he was "really pleased" to see what had been written in Harold's pre-sentence probation report.

"It appears you have turned a corner and I have no wish to upset that, " he told the defendant.

Harold was handed a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete a three-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must also pay a £128 victim surcharge.

No court costs were ordered as Harold currently owed over £6,000 to the court.