Holywell man in the dock after stealing from Tesco

Keith Kidd, of Llwyn Aled in Whitford Street, Holywell, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.

The 35-year-old was produced in the dock in custody.

Just minutes earlier, he'd been given an immediate custodial sentence of two years in the Crown Court for attacking two women in the street.

Regarding his Magistrates Court proceedings, Kidd admitted one offence of theft, which took place on June 17 at Tesco in Holywell when he took around £20 worth of bakery items.

Prosecutor Justin Espie referred to the hearing as essentially being "a tidying up exercise," given Kidd was to be taken to prison in any event.

Keith Kidd (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)He set out the facts in simple terms, in that Kidd had gone into the store, taken the goods and left without paying.

Ceri Lewis, defending, told the court: "When he was interviewed, he said 'I stole in order to eat - I was addicted to heroin.'

"He has since chosen to abstain and is now completely drug free, to his credit."

Ms Lewis asked the Magistrates to consider handing down a conditional discharge - reasoning that after the "shock" of his two year Crown Court sentence, the court was unlikely to see him again.

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"His universal credit will stop as a result of today," she added, "and he won't have any income for the next year."

The Magistrates agreed, handing down a two year conditional discharge.

On his release Kidd must pay £20 in compensation to Tesco, as well as a £26 victim surcharge.