A Monmouth man has pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from commercial addresses in the town.

40-year-old Richard Griffiths stole steaks, alcohol and electrical items from three stores between Friday 17 July and Thursday 10 September.

Griffths, of Cornwallis Way, Monmouth, also admitted a public order offence of using threatening/abusive words/behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress on Thursday 23 July.

He was sentenced at Newport Magistrates’ Court on Friday 23 October.

PC Declan Beale, neighbourhood ward manager for Monmouth at Gwent Police, said:

”We know it must be exceptionally dispiriting for retailers and staff to be targeted in this way by offenders like Griffiths.

“We will continue to pursue thieves who case harm to our communities and make life a misery for business owners and staff in Monmouth."💬

Griffiths was ordered to pay a total of £975.41, including £610.41 compensation, £200 fine, £85 costs and an £80 surcharge.

A spokesman for Gwent Police added: “ If you see anything suspicious while you're out and about in Monmouth, please call us on 101, message us on our Facebook or X social media channels, or report it online.

“You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

“If it's an emergency and you need police assistance immediately, always dial 999.”