A NEWPORT man who stole from B&M to pay off a debt to the kind of people "you would not want to owe money to" has been sentenced.

Benjamin Gothard-Smith, of Hunnyhill, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday. 

The 40-year-old admitted theft from a shop in Newport, on April 16. 

Prosecutor, Rhys Evans, told the court Gothard-Smith has been seen to enter B&M at approximately 11am. 

He said he selected a games console, controller, and three sets of headphone to the value of £165 and left without paying.

The court heard the items were not recovered. 

Mr Evans said Gothard-Smith had 22 previous convictions for 56 offences, and 13 had been theft and kindred offences. 

Henry Farley, defending, said Gothard-Smith pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had, in the past, had a terrific problem with drugs. 

He said he had been clean for two years but his past had come back to haunt him. 

Mr Farley said Gothard-Smith had a debt to pay off, and while not claiming duress or coercion, he owed money to the sort of people you would not want to owe money to. 

He said he was now free of that debt and was not a habitual shoplifter.

The court heard Gothard-Smith had been diagnosed as bi-polar, and had ADHD and numerous mental health difficulties. 

He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £165 compensation.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £34 surcharge.