A man who stole 7 bottles of vodka from B&M Bargains in Chippenham has told the court that he wants to change his life.

48-year-old Denroy Charles Thomas of Queens Crescent appeared at North Wiltshire Magistrates Court on Thursday to be sentenced for theft.

He said: “I want to change my life and be productive to society and I want to try and be my best.”

The court heard how Thomas, who has recently got a job in McDonalds, went into the store on January 7 and was approached by the manager after he was seen crouching down in an aisle without a basket concealing the bottles in his coat.

District Judge Simon Cooper said: “You have admitted to stealing from B&M Bargains and you now have 12 convictions from 14 offences.”

Thomas was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay back £91 in fines.