A THIEF who was caught out for lying by a Judge has been put behind bars.

Oliver Ryan, of Cambridge Road in Ellesmere Port, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Friday.

The 42-year-old had initially appeared at Mold Crown Court in May, having been convicted of five offences of theft from Ellesmere Port's M&S store - which put him in breach of a two year suspended sentence imposed at Mold for drugs offences.

At the May hearing, Judge Niclas Parry questioned the defendant over a missed court appearance a few days prior.

He claimed to have been unwell and said he'd booked a doctor's appointment - but when checks were made, no such appointment was in his GP's records.

"Mr Ryan, you lied to me," the Judge told him, "I'm not the mug you thought I was."

Chester and District Standard: Mold Crown Court, top, and M&S (Image: Google)Mold Crown Court, top, and M&S (Image: Google)

"Whenever you appear in front of me, I won't forget that."

Judge Parry deferred sentence to give the defendant a chance to complete outstanding unpaid work, rehabilitation sessions and to provide evidence of employment he claimed to have.

READ MORE"I'm not the mug you thought I was" - Judge catches thief out for lying

At the latest hearing on Friday Andrew Green, defending, conceded there had been "minimal engagement" on his client's part to address his substance misuse.

As for the evidence of employment, Mr Green said it simply "wasn't available."

Judge Parry told the defendant: "Despite not believing almost anything you said on the last occasion, I gave you another chance.

"Sadly, I've been proved right.

READ MOREJail for man who held his mum underwater by her neck

"I take no satisfaction in that, and it's not just me - there are people all over the place who have been trying to help you.

"You've shown them, frankly, contempt; as you have for the court order.

"There's clearly no prospect you will do anything other than continue to disregard the order made for the drugs offence."

Judge Parry activated the two year suspended sentence in full, imposing no separate penalty for the theft offences which gave rise to the breach.

Make sure you don't miss the top court stories of the week by signing up to our free court newsletter

Chester and District Standard: