A 59-year-old thief has been sentenced to community service after stealing vodka twice from Shoprite.
Patrick Henry Smith admitted both offences and was ordered to do 40 hours of unpaid work by Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks.
He put a bottle of Smirnoff vodka, worth £14.75, under his coat and left the store without paying.
The theft was discovered after a stock check and viewing CCTV footage.
On January 8, Smith was back at the store and this time put a bottle of vodka into his bag.
He then paid for some bread but left without paying for the booze.
Another stock check revealed the theft.
Smith was arrested and during a police interview admitted the offences and said he had no money but needed the vodka as it helped with his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The court heard that he is currently on probation after a drink-driving offence last May.
A probation report said that Smith had also been sentenced to community service for that offence and only had four hours left to complete out of 120.
The report said that he was fully engaging with the supervision order.
Defence advocate Joseph Burrows said: ’Mr Smith is very remorseful and embarrassed to be before the court. He has been engaging well with probation.
’During the lockdowns he ran into a period of financial difficulty. He suffers from PTSD which causes him to act irrationally.
’He is seeking help from Motiv8.’
Deputy High Bailiff Mr Brooks also ordered Smith to pay compensation of £29.50 to Shoprite for the vodka.
He will pay at a rate of £20 per fortnight, deducted from benefits.