A thief caught brazenly taking stock from a shop in Carlisle city centre is so ill that he could die at any time, a court heard.

Magistrates decided to impose no immediate punishment on 26-year-old Taran Telford after his defence solicitor outlined his horrendous health problems – and revealed that two weeks ago his girlfriend died on a hospital operating table.

Telford, of Caldbeck Road, Raffles, admitted stealing from Carlisle’s Superdrug store in the Lanes shopping centre and possessing amphetamine.

Prosecutor John Moran described how staff saw the defendant come into the store in his wheelchair on June 22 and tried to remove security tags from two packets of razors, wrecking the packets.

He was then challenged in another section of the store, and staff found he was sitting on a tube of moisturiser which had had not paid for.

Despite being challenged, he left the store – but not before he had stolen two Wilkinson Sword razors.

Summarising the defendant’s police interview, Mr Moran said: “He said he was stealing items to raise funds so he could purchase drugs.”

The prosecutor said Telford told police that in the preceding three days he had taken 300 tranquilliser tablets. Geoff Clapp, for Telford, whose criminal record includes 14 theft convictions, said his personal circumstances were “poignant”.

“On this occasion, he just fell apart,” said Mr Clapp.

“He doesn’t know why he did it. He didn’t need the items. He said it was stupid.”

Mr Clapp went on to outline Telford’s difficult personal circumstances, explaining that he was cared for full-time by his mother.

“It’s extremely difficult for me to tell you this but Mr Telford could die at any time,” said Mr Clapp.

“Unfortunately, he has corroded heart valves, and the doctors say they will naturally slow down, so it’s only a matter of time before that happens.

“When he was 15, he did die – and he was revived at the hospital, but he suffered three lots of brain damage and had infections all over his body.

“And the week before last, his girlfriend died on the operating table from a blood clot on the brain. So he’s got a lot to cope with.”

Mr Clapp said Telford wanted to apologise for his actions.

Having heard Mr Clapp’s mitigation, magistrates imposed a 12 month conditional discharge, along with prosecution costs of £85, a £20 victim surcharge, and compensation of £37 to Superdrug for the damaged goods.

Noting that this was the first time the defendant had been back in court for five years, the presiding magistrate told Telford: “I hope things go well – and please stay out of trouble.”