A THIEF stole more than £100 worth of board games and air freshener refills from a high street store because he had no money, a court heard.

David Morgan, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a shop at the first opportunity at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on July 29.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre said Morgan was captured on CCTV placing 13 Febreeze Plug in Refills into a bag and then leaving the Home Bargains store on Dalton Street in Barrow without paying on February 21 this year.

He said the defendant attended the same store on March 4 where CCTV once again captured him stealing a Monopoly Fortnite Game and Monopoly Travel World Game.

Morgan was also caught on that occasion placing three Febreeze sprays, shampoo and conditioner into a bag, the court was told.

The court heard the total value of items stolen on the two separate occasions was £110.58.

In mitigation, Trystan Roberts said his client made full and frank admissions to the offences in police interview.

Mr Roberts said: “He is a gentleman who has difficulties with his mental health. He has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, depression and anxiety.

“He had no money at the time of these offences which was as a result of his drug addiction. He sold the items to get some money. He has three previous convictions for similar matters, but he is not a prolific offender.

“He had struggled with drug addiction until recently. However, since being arrested, he has worked with Recovery Steps and is now clean for the first time in ten years. He is engaging well and is fed up with the way his life was going.

"This is a man who knows he has done wrong and is working hard to now put things right.”

Magistrates said they were impressed with the progress being made and with the direction in which matters were going.

As a result, they imposed an £80 fine and ordered that Morgan pay the full amount of items stolen back to Home Bargains.