A THIEF has avoided being sent to prison after stealing from a shop while subject to a suspended sentence.

Maciej Puczylowsk admitted one count of theft from a shop when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford in January.

Police were called after Puczylowsk was detained by staff at The Range in Hereford on January 2, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

Staff had seen Puczylowsk, who was in the company of another man, picking up items and taking the labels off, before walking out with them and making no attempt to pay.

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The items, an orange and black Saber drill and socks, had been recovered from him, the court was told.

In police interview, he admitted committing the theft and said he had been with another man at the time.

The court heard Puczylowsk was subject to a suspended sentence at the time.

Andrew Cleal, for Puczylowsk, said that the 32-year-old was in court after committing a low level, unsophisticated offence.

"It appears that his offending started back in 2020," Mr Cleal said.

"He has been in the country for 10 years and worked as a forklift driver, but he is currently dealing with a serious alcohol problem and is drinking a bottle of vodka a day."

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The court heard Puczylowsk is attending sessions at Turning Point to help him deal with his alcohol problems, but that this is an ongoing process.

"It appears that he met a friend on this day and was in drink and not thinking sensibly," Mr Cleal said.

"This was clearly influenced by alcohol".

The court heard Puczylowsk is not currently working but is in supported housing and is hoping to undergo a detox when he has reduced his alcohol intake.

Magistrates said they believed it would be unjust to activate the suspended sentence in the circumstances, particularly due to the work Puczylowsk is doing to reduce his alcohol intake.

Puczylowsk, who is of Whitecross Road in Hereford was fined £80 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £135 and a £32 victim surcharge.

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