A drug addict couple who went on a shoplifting spree in the Rhyl area have been spared jail and urged by a court to take the help offered to them.

David Muir, aged 42, of East Parade, admitted ten thefts, possessing a drug and failing to answer bail, and received a 20 weeks suspended prison term with drug rehabilitation and 100 hours unpaid work.

He must also pay £890 compensation.

Donna Lerwill, aged 38, pleaded guilty to nine thefts and failing to surrender to bail. She, too, got a 20 weeks suspended sentence with drug rehabilitation and £684 compensation.

Magistrates’ chairwoman Grainne McDonagh at Llandudno court said they had shown remorse and a willingness to engage with rehabilitation. But she warned the pair: "You are very close to custody.”

Prosecutor Sara Worland said alcohol was stolen repeatedly from a Coop store at Rhyl.

Sainsbury’s and Aldi stores had also been targeted.

The probation service said Muir planned to sell the goods because of a cocaine and heroin addiction costing up to £40 a day.

He’d moved from Wolverhampton for a better life in North Wales.

Ben Jones, defending, said Lerwill had been through a difficult time.