A LLANDRINDOD Wells man who stole headphones from a supermarket has been fined after a nearly five-year abstention from offending.

Matthew Radburn stole the headphones, worth £35, from Tesco, because they “caught his attention”, Llandrindod Magistrates’ Court heard last week. When police went to his house, Radburn admitted the theft and also told officers he was in possession of cannabis.

The 33-year-old, of Hillcrest Rise, admitted one charge of theft on Wednesday, January 18, as well as a second one of possessing cannabis.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies said the Tesco theft took place on December 7, with Radburn admitting possessing 3 grams of the Class B drug when police called at his home 6 days later on December 13.

“Police were called to Tesco, an employee said the defendant, who she knew, had unpackaged a pair of headphones and taken them without payment,” said Mr Davies.

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“CCTV was viewed by the police and they saw it was the defendant. They arrested him and he said ‘I have weed on me’. The estimated street value of the drug was £30.

“He admitted he had stolen the headphones and was in possession of cannabis, which was for his own use.

“He has a large number of previous convictions but has not troubled the courts since 2018.”

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Richard Morgan, acting for Radburn, said: “He does apologise for these offences.

“After four-and-a-half years of no offending he is now back in court. I ask for maximum credit for his cooperation.

“He hadn’t planned it (the theft), he had gone there routinely and the headphones caught his attention. He also admitted possessing cannabis, of which he is a regular user.”

Mr Morgan said Radburn suffered with ADHD and had referred himself to Kaleidoscope to address his cannabis intake. He also said the defendant earned £1,200 a month in state benefits.

Radburn was fined £40 fine for each offence and was ordered to pay Tesco £35 compensation. He must also pay £85 costs and a £16 surcharge, while the cannabis was ordered to be destroyed.