A MAN has admitted stealing hundreds of pounds of perfume from a Chester city centre store.

Jamie Chard, 33, of Brook Street, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to the theft, which happened at L'Occitane on Northgate Street on May 4.

That shoplifting offence put Chard in breach of a conditional discharge imposed only weeks before for other theft offences.

Prosecuting at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, May 6, Alan Currums said it was 11.40am when Chard took £240 of fragrance items from the store and refused to put them back despite being challenged by staff.

CCTV footage monitored Chard later discarding the items, which were not damaged, before being arrested. He made full admissions in police interview.

Prior to theft offences for which he was convicted in April, the court heard there had not been much on his record for dishonesty in recent times.

Defending, Steve Coupe said Chard's record was "not particularly attractive" and his recent offending had come from a relapse into misusing class A drugs.

Chard had been struggling with homelessness but had recently obtained temporary accommodation.

District Judge Owen Jones agreed a pre-sentence report was required for Chard.

Chard was bailed on condition he did not enter the L'Occitane store, and will be sentenced next month.