A THIEF who punched a shop worker and stole Strongbow cider in a bid to get mental health help has been sentenced.

Matthew Gillespie appeared before magistrates in Hereford for sentencing after entering a guilty plea to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of theft from a shop at a previous hearing.

The victim was working in Hereford's Kilpeck Avenue Premier shop when Gillespie entered on January 26, the court heard from prosecutor Eleanor Peart at Gillespie's plea hearing.

Gillespie picked up two cases of Strongbow Dark Fruits cider, worth a total of £26, and walked towards the door.

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He told the victim, who confronted him and asked him to put the crates back, that he would kill him if he followed him, before punching him and leaving with one of the crates of cider.

The victim was left with a black eye, the court heard.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Gillespie, said that the 34-year-old had pleaded guilty to both matters at the earliest opportunity.

"He was interviewed on a voluntary basis in February and accepted what had happened," Miss Di Vitantonio said.

"He said he had a mental breakdown. He contacted police for help before this, but got no help."

Miss Di Vitantonio said he had also attempted to get help from the Stonebow Unit but was unable to without a referral, and that he had stolen the cider in a bid to get help by being arrested.

"January is a difficult time for him, due to the death of a close friend some years ago," she said.

Gillespie, of Waterfield Road, Hereford, was handed a 12-month community order and fined £20. He was also ordered to pay total compensation of £63.