A "BRAZEN" thief has been told he is no longer welcome in Wilko stores across England and Wales.

Richard Baldini, of Maes Hyfryd in Rhosrobin, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 35-year-old admitted stealing £42 worth of cleaning products belonging to Wilkinsons in Wrexham on November 13.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson said Baldini is a "member of the homeless community" who "regularly shoplifts from the store."

On the day of the offence he was caught on CCTV selecting items and placing them into a pink bag before leaving without making payment.

Ms Jackson said Wilko is frequently targeted by members of the homeless community, with the value of thefts for the company reaching into the tens of thousands for 2021 alone.

When he was interviewed by police, Baldini admitted taking the products from the store and said he sold them to get money for food.

Gary Harvey, defending, conceded that the offence was a "targeted" theft and that his client's previous record "doesn't help him."

However he invited the court to draw back from immediate custody.

District Judge Gwyn Jones told Baldini: "As you were being brought up by officers, I watched the video. "It's clear - it was brazen, tooled up with your pink bag, picking items you knew you could sell."

He handed down an eight week term of imprisonment.

But defendant's early admission of guilt persuaded the District Judge to suspend it for one year.

He told Baldini: "There will be one requirement - you are not to enter any Wilko store in England and Wales.

"You're no longer welcome."

Baldini was ordered to pay costs of £85 and £42 compensation.