A Hamilton Parish man was given a 12-month conditional discharge in Magistrates’ Court this morning after he pleaded guilty to stealing $10.54 worth of groceries.

Gary Gibbons, 54, admitted stealing a bottle of dishwashing liquid, worth $3.25, and sea bass fish, worth $7.29, from the Shelly Bay MarketPlace on June 23 last year.

The court heard that Police were called to the supermarket after the defendant was seen on CCTV footage leaving the store without paying.

In court, Gibbons said he was just going outside to his bike to get some money to pay for the items.

Senior magistrate Juan Wolffe asked Gibbons if he had substance-abuse issues, to which Gibbons replied that he used heroin but did not have a problem.

“You say you don’t have a problem, but you do,” Mr Wolffe said.

He gave Gibbons a 12-month conditional discharge on the condition that he observe Drug Treatment Court for at least three sessions, submit to random drug testing and abstain from the use of illicit drugs and alcohol.

Also in court, a Warwick woman denied stealing groceries from the Modern Mart supermarket in Paget yesterday.

Susan Johnston, 55, allegedly stole salmon steaks, a boneless ribeye steak, a package of chourico and a package of chive sausages worth a total of $48.75.

Mr Wolffe granted $500 bail with a like surety and set a trial date for June 18.

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