A MAN who stole tobacco from two Malvern stores using a contactless card has been handed a conditional discharge.

Dennis Standen, of Moat Crescent used the card, acquired from his brother, on four separate occasions on Thursday, December 28 last year to obtain tobacco.

The court heard that the stolen card had been retrieved from a burglary, and that his brother had given it to Standen, saying he had found it.

The 49-year-old visited Tesco Express in Pickersleigh Road, Malvern, on two occasions that day - once spending £13.54 on tobacco and on the other occasion buying £13.29 worth.

He also visited the One Stop Shop, also in Pickersleigh Road, Malvern where he bought £13 worth of tobacco and a further £26.58 of tobacco, again on two occasions on the same day.

Mark Turnball, defending, said: "I am sure you are disappointed to see Mr Standen here again. It is quite a significant number of theft matters.

"He has stayed away from the courts for seven or eight years. He gave an early guilty plea and was fully compliant with the police."

Mr Turnball pointed out the theft were all the same day and that "very little" in the way of planning had gone into the offence.

The court heard Standen, who has separated from his wife, is a recovering drug addict that has managed to reduce his Methadone prescription to 45ml a day.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 18.

He was handed a 12 month conditional discharge, ordered to pay court costs of £135, a £20 victim surcharge and compensation of £39.58 to One Stop Shop and £26.83 to Tesco.

Magistrates warned Standen that if he commits another offence he will be re-sentenced for this offence as well.