A prolific shoplifter has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting stealing meat items from a store in Milford Haven.

Forty-seven-year-old Steven George Smith, of St Davids Road, Milford Haven, admitted a charge of stealing £10 worth of meat from the Tesco store at Haven’s head retail park on July 20, when he appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that at around 8.20 pm that night, staff at the store were tasked with keeping an eye on the defendant as he was known to be a regular shoplifter at the premises.

“Mr. Smith was initially challenged as the staff thought that he had something on him when he left the store, and CCTV footage later showed that he had meat items on him that he hadn’t paid for.

“This offence was committed shortly after Mr. Smith had been made subject to a community order,” he added.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that his client who suffered with substance misuse, had take the drug Spice that day, and had little recollection of what had occurred, but had since eaten the meat he stole.

Probation officer Julie Norman recommended to magistrates that Mr. Smith’s current community order be kept in place.

“He is trying to sort his lifestyle out, and has been engaging with the probation service of late. He has completed 15 hours of the 80 from the unpaid work requirements so far.

“Mr. Smith is dealing with substance misuse issues, but that is not an overnight fix,” she continued.

“Leaving the community order as it is is probably the best chance of rehabilitation,” added Mr. Kelleher.

Magistrates handed Mr. Smith a 12 week prison term, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to continue to comply with probation under the terms of his community order.

He was ordered to pay £10 compensation to the Tesco store, £85 in prosecution costs and a £122 victim surcharge.