A FLINTSHIRE man who had been beaten up and stabbed carried a bottle of ammonia on him for his own protection, a court was told.

When Sam Nicholas Allan, 29, was apprehended for shoplifting he produced the bottle.

It was not brandished but the bottle was dropped on the floor and he ran off, North East Wales magistrates were told.

Allan admitted the theft of vodka at Morrison’s supermarket on Connah’s Quay on November 8, possessing the bottle of ammonia as an offensive weapon and failing to provide a drugs sample at the police station following his arrest.

Allan, who also admitted stealing vodka from Asda in Queensferry on October 31, was jailed for a total of six months after a suspended sentence was activated.

A two-year criminal behaviour order was made which bans him from entering Connah’s Quay.

He is not to be intoxicated by drink or drugs in a public place and he is not to use foul or abusive language or encourage anyone else to do so.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the Mold court the bottle contained ammonia which was a corrosive substance.

In interview, Allan said he had the bottle of ammonia for his own protection.

The prosecutor said the possession of such a liquid as a weapon was a serious matter which should attract custody and said acid attacks were a matter of concern.

Mr Espie said he had an eight page statement from the police in support of an application for a criminal behaviour order.

Allan, he said, had become a handful and a nuisance and when confronted he became abusive which amounted to anti-social behaviour.

Gary Harvey, defending, said Allan of no fixed abode but formerly of Bron y Wern in Bagillt , had made full admissions and co-operated with the police.

When interviewed the defendant was in a lot of pain. He had taken medication after he had received a “good beating including the use of a knife” on a Sunday a couple of weeks ago, said Mr Harvey, who added Allan still had a black eye and he had been hospitalised.

The court heard Allan was originally from Flint, had been through some difficult times, was homeless and had got involved in drink and drugs.

Mr Harvey said he suspected the assault was because he did not have the money to pay a debt.

“He was carrying the ammonia around to protect himself from people who are constantly assaulting him,” said Mr Harvey.

“He accepts that a short period of custody may be the best thing for him to try to get his life back on track.”

Mr Harvey said Allan had been doing quite well with the probation service and had been complying with an order imposed on him previously.