A THIEF was sentenced to prison after stealing Christmas treats.

Terry Dowling, aged 43, saw his suspended sentence activated after he stole two chocolate yule logs from Asda just before Christmas.

Dowling, of London Road, in Worcester, also admitted stealing five packets of Fairy brand washing tablets from Poundland, valued at £30.

For both offences he was spotted on CCTV.

Gary Harper, defending Dowling said: "He has not offended since December, which might not sound a lot but it is if you compare it to what has happened before.

"He was taking these items because he needed to wash his clothes and he was hungry, he was not trying to sell them on to fund a drink or drug habit.

"He is on 80 millilitres of methadone which is a lot, he is working with Swanswell and the probation service to reduce his drug habit and is learning to budget."

The court also heard that whilst he was compliant with the probation service and with Swanswell Rehabilitation Centre when he attends, however, it is often a problem making sure he attends regularly.

Magistrates said that they took this poor attendance into consideration when they sentenced Dowling to six weeks in custody.

This replaces the eight-week suspended sentence issued last April.

Dowling was also sentenced to a week in jail for each of the thefts, which will run concurrently with his other sentence.

The Poundland theft took place on Tuesday,November 29 and the Asda theft took place on Monday, December 19.

Dowling appeared in court on Thursday, March 9.