A MAN caught stealing chocolates told police he had been stealing every day for a week to feed his heroin addiction.

Marin Plamenov Dobrev, 26, of Green Lane in Shotton, appeared from custody at a weekend sitting of North East Wales Magistrates Court where he was given a conditional discharge for 12 months.

His solicitor, Victoria Handley, said her client moved to the UK 14 months ago, became addiction to heroin a year ago and was now motivated to tackle the issue.

On May 16 he admitted five earlier shopliftings, had been placed on a community order with drugs rehabilitation, was attending appointments and was due to receive a prescription to help him.

The order was working but had not yet had time to kick in, she said.

Magistrates said they were disappointed to see him back in court so soon but they agreed the best way forward was a discharge.

They stressed the current community order would continue.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the Mold court Dobrev was seen stealing 12 bars of chocolates valued at £35 at B&M Bargains at Shotton on Friday morning. He was chased and detained outside.

Interviewed, he said he had been stealing on a daily basis for the last week.

Now his brother was aware of the issue he was supporting him and Dobrev had distanced himself from a group of people he had been involved with, the court heard.