A prolific Pembroke Dock shoplifter has been sent to jail for 18 weeks after admitting stealing meat and a number of household items from local stores.

Twenty-seven-year-old Adam Barlow, of Kavanagh Court, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with three offences of theft.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that the the first offence occurred on Saturday (June 1) when the defendant entered the B and M store in Pembroke Dock and stole £42.96 worth of items, including a bluetooth speaker, air freshener plug-ins, and a crate of Coca-Cola.

Two days later on the Monday, Mr. Barlow stole meat to the value of £98.99 from the town’s Asda store, returning later that same day to steal more meat worth £86.21.

The court heard how the defendant had only been released from custody on May 22, but had since then failed to attend scheduled appointments with the police and probation service, putting him in breach of his post sentence supervision licence.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb told the court that Mr. Barlow’s antecedent history was partly down to the fact that he hadn’t had a ‘fantastic start to life’ and was in and out of foster homes from a young age.

“He now finds himself in a very difficult situation, and has tended to commit these thefts when his benefits haven’t restarted after coming out of prison.”

Mr. Webb also explained that Mr. Barlow had issues with substance misuse and was seeking help from the drug and alcohol team at Haven Way Day Hospital.

“If we can sort out the drug matter then I’m sure we can sort out the criminal matters,” added Mr. Webb.

Magistrates handed Mr. Barlow a total of 18 weeks in prison, and ordered him to pay a total of £227.76 in compensation to the stores he had stolen from.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £115 victim surcharge.