A POWYS man who has repeatedly found himself in court over his drinking has been told he must not be found in a state of drunkenness anywhere in public in Wales.

Alan Newton, who lives in Newtown, had restrictions as part of a criminal behaviour order to which he is currently subjected made more stringent my magistrates sentencing him for stealing a bottle of wine.

At Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 31, the 59-year-old admitted stealing a bottle of red wine from Spar in Newtown on October 29.

Newton was already due in court for an application by Dyfed Powys Police to amend a criminal behaviour order imposed on Newton last July. He admitted his guilt in relation to that on October 10.

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Prosecutor Helen Tench said the bottle was worth £8.49.

“The defendant went into Spar and tried to buy wine, but he was refused service due to his intoxicated state,” said Mrs Tench.

“He walked out of the store with the wine. He was later located by police, the bottle of wine was now open. He was arrested. He made sexualised comments to officers at the police station.”

Mrs Tench said that Newton – who has a history of drunken behaviour, including making sexualised comments to women – was made the subject of the criminal behaviour order on July 7, 2022.

The order prevents him from being allowed onto licensed premises, while he is also banned from several areas of Powys, including two streets in Knighton.

Ms Tench said the police had requested that the order should be amended so Newton could not drink alcohol in public, and could not be drunk anywhere in Wales. The amended order also covers inappropriate language in public, or inappropriate behaviour. This includes language and behaviour deemed to be sexualised.

Acting for Newton, of St Mary's Close, Newtown, Owain Jones said his client had made a genuine attempt to pay for the wine.

“He tried offering money on several occasions, but the shop refused to sell it to him,” said Mr Jones.

“He was intoxicated and became flustered and upset. He did not enter the store with the intention to steal.

“It is his first-ever shoplifting offence, but of course his record is worrying.”

Asked if he wanted to contest the police application, a sobbing Newton, who had been in custody since his shoplifting arrest, said: “I don’t think I can fight it.”

Probation officer Julian Davies said Newton is also subject to supervision until February 2024.

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Newton was jailed for five months in December 2022 after admitting leaving vile and sexualised voicemail messages on the phone of a Powys vicar.

The vicar from Knighton had been described as a “good Samaritan” who “felt sorry” for Newton and took him under her wing.

Mr Davies said Newton was released from prison in April of this year, having been recalled following his initial release from that sentence.

“He is considered a high risk of reoffending,” said Mr Davies.

For shoplifting, Newton was fined £40 and told to pay £85 costs and a £16 surcharge, plus £8.49 compensation to Spar. Magistrates kept his community order in place.

A new criminal behaviour order confirming the police's terms was imposed for two years.