A wheelchair-user has been fined after stealing a radio alarm clock from a budget store and then taking £100 worth of vapes from another shop five days later.

The first incident took place at B&M in Whitehaven on November 23. The store manager was stood at the checkouts and saw Michael Goldwater, 64, leave.

The manager recognised him from previous incidents and the defendant has been banned from the store in the past, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said Goldwater had taken an item from the electronics aisle and placed it on his lap. He then concealed the item and removed the security tag.

The manager went back to the aisle and saw a radio alarm clock was missing.

Then on November 28, Goldwater was in Heron Foods in Whitehaven when a witness saw him place something into a plastic bag.

She knew him from coming into Whitehaven Police Station, where she works. She asked staff to check CCTV and he was seen taking the vapes.

Goldwater was stopped outside the store and was asked to hand the items back. He was informed the incident would be reported to the police.

The defendant, of Nursery Place, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to two charges of theft from a shop.

Mike Woolaghan, defending, said he only saw the defendant when he was in “some form of crisis”.

Mr Woolaghan told the court: “He was clearly remorseful. He handed himself in to police about the offence on November 28.

“There has been a deterioration in his physical and mental health. He has had a couple of strokes. He was struggling to adjust to his new existence.”

Goldwater was fined a total of £80 and must pay £30 in compensation to B&M. He must also pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

MORE FROM COURT: Man ordered to leave school bus driver alone after repeatedly taking photos