A MAN kept returning to steal from Tesco in Welshpool so he could give Christmas presents to friends and family.

Alan Shaw, 35, pleaded guilty to four charges of theft when he appeared at the town's magistrates court.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Shaw visited the store on November 23, 25 and 30, as well as December 3, to steal items. One of the thefts was valued at £336.50, but no value could be placed on the others.

He entered the store with two zip bags, took numerous items, paying for some items that were not in the bags, before leaving the store.

CCTV enquiries were carried out at the store, as well as ANPR checks, both of which helped track down Shaw as the culprit. He was driven to the store by his partner, who had no knowledge of what he was doing.

In interview, Shaw, of Crowmeole Lane, Shrewsbury, told the police he had stolen the items to give as Christmas presents to friends and family.

Kate Cooper, defending, said her client was receiving benefits and was in "financial difficulties" at the time.

She said: "He felt an enormous amount of pressure to provide those items at Christmas time,

"He had just helped his mother move from Blackpool to Shrewsbury, he had bills to cover, was out of pocket at the time and made the foolish decision to steal these items.

"There was nothing sophisticated about these offences but he did go into the store with the intention of stealing. He didn't distribute these items, they are still in his possession and he is more than happy to give them back."

Susan Usmar, chair of the magistrates bench, gave Shaw a 12 month community order with an £80.

Compensation of £336.50 will also be paid to Tesco, and Shaw was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.