A cheeky thief stole a tray of burgers from the back of a Penparcau butcher’s van then walked to a chip shop two doors down and asked them to cook the stolen snack for him.

Shaun Tooley, 34, pleaded guilty to the theft of the burgers from Penparcau Butchers on Monday, 4 November.

Prosecuting, Rhian Jones said staff from the butchers had been loading the van, and noticed when they came back with more items that a tray of burgers had been taken.

Shortly afterwards, Tooley, who witnesses said seemed drunk, walked to a nearby chip shop and ordered chips and asked for staff to cook the burgers he had taken.

They refused, but served him the chips and Tooley, of no fixed abode, walked away with a bag which he put the burgers in.

Police were called and Tooley was found walking on Penparcau Road still holding the burgers.

Ms Jones said the manager of the butcher shop said he had seen Tooley causing problems outside while drunk.

She added that Tooley had been given a six-month conditional discharge in October for being drunk and disorderly, so had breached that discharge.

Alan Lewis, defending Tooley, said: “He’s deeply embarrassed to be in court today. He’s asked me to apologise to the butcher for the theft and also to the chip shop owner for turning up drunk and asking him to cook the burgers for him.”

Mr Lewis said Tooley had previous convictions, which were alcohol related, but said since this incident Tooley had referred himself to a drink and drug counselling agency.

Since then he said Tooley had attended appointments and said he felt better and wished he had taken those steps previously.

Tooley was also close to finding employment and was addressing issues with accommodation, with things looking more positive.

Tooley was fined £80 for the theft and £40 for the drunk and disorderly charge. He will also pay compensation of £9 to the butcher shop and costs of £117.