A Welshpool man who was sentenced for stealing ice cream must wear a tag again after missing probation appointments - before being spotted trick-or-treating.

Kaine Christian Powells, 23, was expected to appear at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, November 26, but failed to show up.

The court heard that since the 12-month community order was imposed in August, that Powells was continuing to reoffend.

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Probation officer Harriet Beer told the magistrates that Powells had failed to attend a planned office appointment on October 31, which his mother explained that he was unwell and in bed.

But he had been seen out later that evening trick-or-treating on Hallowe'en which Ms Beer said he was "well enough to do". Powells also failed to hand in a sick note within five days.

He had also failed to attend an appointment on October 10 with a reasonable excuse.

The court was told that Powells left one appointment "abruptly" saying that his lift was waiting. But he was later seen walking through a park and met up with a small group of males under the influence of alcohol.

"It's disappointing that he is in breach within the first few months of the order," Ms Beer said. "Steps have been taken to prevent the breach and Mr Powells has been offered multiple phone appointments but unfortunately did not attend in person."

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She said that since Powells completed a 56-day period of wearing an alcohol monitoring tag earlier this year, his compliance with the court order had "deteriorated".

"Mr Powell has expressed motivation to change but has shown no evidence to change. The engagement is superficial."

Ms Beer added the probation service's recommendation was to continue the order with another alcohol monitoring tag for 56 days, which had been "working well" with him on the previous occasion.

Chair of the magistrates' bench Anthony Jackson asked: "If he's slipperier than an eel at the moment, how are you going to do that?"

(Image: NQ)

The probation officer explained that alcohol was a main factor for Powells' lack of compliance but he was engaging well with the order while on the tag. However he has since continued to drink alcohol.

A legal advisor told the magistrates that Powells was "not fazed by court orders" and the "only way is for him to be produced here" at the court in Welshpool.

Mr Jackson, chair, ordered a warrant for Powells, of Foundry Lane, Welshpool to appear in court to have the alcohol abstinence tag requirement explained and placed on him.