A shoplifter stole a case of prosecco from a Swindon supermarket.

Corbyn Rothchild, of Affleck Close in Toothill, pleaded guilty to stealing £51 worth of prosecco from Tesco on January 6, 2024, and breaching a community order by failing to attend appointments from November 6 to 13, 2023.

The 36-year-old must pay back the value of the stolen goods in compensation along with a £100 fine and £85 in court costs.

Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, noted that the defendant, who is also known as Simba Bryan and Bryan Simba, had five previous convictions for theft which were dealt with last year.

Mr Morgan, defending, explained that his client had started attending appointments again as required after the breach occurred, and had experienced personal issues in recent months which included periods of sofa surfing and homelessness.

District Judge Joanna Dickens viewed the defendant's files and noticed that, in his absence at a previous hearing, he had been awarded £3,500 in fines which she felt he had no ability to pay off.

The judge decided to write off the debts and "wipe the slate clean" to give him "one last chance" to get his life back on track.

The existing community order remains in place and has been extended until next February.