A Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute (MAWI) patient was given a suspended sentence after he was caught stealing a bottle of vitamins.

Shannon Looby, 39, pleaded guilty to theft in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

According to Crown counsel Larissa Burgess, on June 2 security at the Phoenix Store in Hamilton noticed Looby placing an object in his pocket and walking out of the store.

Staff approached Looby outside the store and asked him to take his hands out of his pockets, but at first he refused. When he did comply, a bottle of D Vitamins was found in his pocket.

Police arrested and questioned Looby, who initially denied the theft, telling officers that a man outside the store had given him the vitamins.

Looby admitted the theft in court, telling Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner that he was receiving treatment at MAWI.

"I was going up there for treatment, but I'm up there full time now," he said.

Mr. Warner released Looby with a 12-month conditional discharge, under the conditions that he continues his treatment and does not commit any additional crimes.