A POWYS man who last year admitted stealing alcohol from shops around Newtown will not have to complete outstanding unpaid work hours on a court order

Christopher Francis, 33, has since found full-time employment and has been struggling to complete his order.

He had been handed a 12-month community order by Welshpool Magistrates’ Court in September 2023, after he “went crazy” on drink and drugs and shoplifted alcohol from multiple stores in Newtown in July and August last year.

But his probation officer told the court his working life had helped him find "great purpose", and said he was struggling to keep up with the demands of both the court and his employer.

As part of his punishment, Francis, of The Gremlin, Brecon, had been given alcohol monitoring and told to complete 15 rehabilitation days and 40 hours of unpaid work.

An application to amend the community order and remove an outstanding amount of 22.5 unpaid work hours was made by the probation service at Welshpool last Tuesday, November 19, on the grounds that his circumstances have changed.

Probation officer Carl Atkinson told magistrates Francis had attended sessions and complied with the order, but “faced significant difficulties with homelessness and mental health”.

“He has gained full-time employment and found great purpose,” said Mr Atkinson.

“He has 22.5 hours remaining but is struggling to complete these, due to his employment.”

Magistrates agreed to amend the order.