THE SAME day that he was given a conditional discharge at Truro Magistrates' Court for shoplifting, Leon Smith went to Marks & Spencer in the city and walked out with champagne bottles worth £90 without paying for them.

Smith, 33, of Crowlas, pleaded guilty at Truro Magistrates' Court last week to the theft on October 20.

Alison May, for the prosecution, said he was recognised by staff in the store who saw him select the three bottles and put them in a basket before going to the women's clothing area, apparently to hide, then re-emerging with his basket empty and leaving the store without paying for anything.

He had a number of similar offences on his record.

Smith, who also admitted breaching a conditional discharge, was said to have had a longstanding battle with heroin and not always a successful one, by his solicitor Jeremy Leaning.

Smith was given a nine-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, and a year's supervision. He had to pay compensation of £90.