Patrick Coyle, 37, was this week given a banning order, which will prevent him from entering Tesco, Aldi and Iceland, as well as Wynnstay Stores, in Newtown, following a spree of thefts throughout May, July and October.
Welshpool Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday, December 2, that Coyle, of Glan Y Dwr, Back Lane, had relapsed back into abusing alcohol in the last 18 months, following the death of his father.
He entered guilty pleas to five theft charges in total. The first one occurred on May 7, when Coyle stole items valued at ÂŁ150 from Tesco in Newtown. On July 3 he stole dog food from Wynnstay Stores worth ÂŁ40.
Three thefts occurred in October. On October 10 he stole food worth ÂŁ117 from Aldi; the following day he entered Iceland and stole ÂŁ164.80 of food items; and on October 15 he returned to Tesco, where he took electrical goods worth ÂŁ245.
Prosecutor Helen Tench said: “On May 7 at Tesco he selected numerous items and left, making no attempt to pay.
“At Wynnstay, he was challenged by staff, he dropped the dry dog food but took some wet food.
“At Aldi various items of meat were taken. PCSO Astley viewed CCTV footage and identified the defendant.
“At Iceland, he entered, took a basket, filled it with items and left; again he was identified by PC Astley.
“At Tesco on the second occasion he took electrical goods. He was confronted by a member of the public. The items were recovered.”
Rob Hanratty, defending Coyle, said: “The number of offences will cause concern, if not the severity of them.
“He has kept out of trouble for six years. He is desperately worried about this court appearance. He was an addict at the time and says he knows he shouldn’t have done it.”
Magistrates ordered a report and probation officer Julian Davies said Coyle revealed he had started drinking again in 2024, having gone a decade without alcohol.
“He tells me he lost his father 18 months ago and has been struggling since,” said Mr Davies.
“He recently relapsed into alcohol use. At the time his benefits had been sanctioned, he was living on £16 a fortnight, he had no money to feed himself or his addiction.
“He stole in order to sell the items to buy food and alcohol. He is ashamed by what he’s done.
“He lives with his mother and his last paid employment was in 2008, erecting stages for concerts. He left because of his alcohol use.
“He says it was problematic years ago, but from 2014-2024 he didn’t drink, but he has since relapsed.
“He says he currently drinks every day and would welcome some support.
“He also previously had a problem with heroin addiction. He doesn’t use it anymore but has recently started using crack cocaine.”
Coyle’s record includes 14 convictions for 22 offences, 10 of these relate to thefts.
Mr Davies added Coyle’s last conviction resulted in a suspended sentence, in 2020, which was activated.
Magistrates handed Coyle a community order, to last 12 months. It will include 15 rehabilitation activity days, plus a nine-month alcohol treatment requirement.
He was told he must not enter Tesco, Wynnstay, Aldi or Iceland.
He was told to pay ÂŁ85 costs, as well as compensation to the stores he stole from. This will include reimbursing Tesco ÂŁ150, ÂŁ20.90 to Wynnstay, ÂŁ117 to Aldi and ÂŁ164.80 to Iceland.