A DRUG user was spared jail after stealing from a supermarket on condition he completes a drug rehabilitation order.

Jay Hamilton-Smith, 38, of Llwynu Lane, Abergavenny, appeared via a video link from Cardiff prison before Newport Crown Court charged with theft and burglary.

He admitted charges of stealing vodka from a Tesco supermarket on December 5, and taking DVDs and computer games nine days later in a burglary from Tesco on Frogmore Street, Abergavenny

Sentencing, Judge Thomas Crowther QC said: “You have a very long history of burglary offences.

“These previous convictions obviously reflect your history of drug addiction.

“These offences merit custody, but I am persuaded I can suspend the terms of imprisonment and make a drug rehabilitation requirement.”

He was sentenced to eight months on each offence, both sentences suspended for two years on condition of 12 months supervision order and a nine-month drug rehabilitation order.

Hamilton-Smith will return to court for review on April 10.