A HUNGRY thief stole chocolate and sausage rolls, a court was told.

Liam Christon admitted stealing the savouries from Clifton Road, in Darlington, on January 17.

Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard that he also stole 11 bars of Cadbury’s chocolate, from Morrisons on Morton Park, on December 5.

Christon, 28, of Hargreave Terrace, Darlington, asked for a further three similar offences to be taken into consideration.

His solicitor, Leanne Galbraith, said Christon’s offending was not linked to any drug or alcohol issues, but with his benefits being docked after he was late for an appointment at the Job Centre.

She said: “He went collecting scrap metal with a friend, legitimately, and was himself a victim of crime.

“The metal they had collected was stolen, this left him unable to pay his rent and he spent a period of time living on the streets.

"He now has temporary accommodation and is trying to find something more permanent," said Miss Galbraith.

Christon was made the subject of a 12-month community order, with 84 hours’ unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay compensation to the businesses he had stolen from.