A CHARD man who went shoplifting to fund a heroin addiction was given a conditional discharge by magistrates after they heard he had since turned his life around.

Oliver Caulfield went to the town’s Tesco store and helped himself to over £100 worth of booze and a pasty.

He was caught on CCTV walking out of the exit having only paid for a couple of KitKats and was later arrested after being identified from the footage.

Caulfield, 40, of Brutton Way, appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil where he admitted the theft of the items valued at £128.60 on March 23.

He also admitted being in breach of a 20 week suspended prison sentence imposed by magistrates in West Sussex earlier this year for previous offences.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said that the defendant was captured on camera committing the theft and put the items into a bag.

“He paid for some KitKats but nothing else and left without paying but when staff reviewed the video they informed the police and he was identified,” she said.

“When he was arrested he admitted selling the items to fund his heroin addiction.”

Defending solicitor Paul Light said that although his client committed the offence to fund a drug habit, thankfully he had now received the correct treatment for his issues.

“Offences like this are often a cry for help, but Caulfield is now on a script and completely free from drugs and is continuing to look after his son,” he said.

He said the defendant had previously been in court for another offence in April and the suspended sentence was not activated then. This shoplifting offence pre-dated that one, so said it should not be activated now.

“He has made big efforts and should be encouraged in them,” he added.

The magistrates said that it was unfortunate this matter had not been taken into account at the previous hearing and did not activate the suspended sentence.

They imposed a six month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay Tesco £128.60 compensation and £40 towards costs.