A CURFEW has been placed on a recovering alcoholic who stole washing powder and meat from Sainsbury’s.

The town’s Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday (Tuesday, March 25) that 28-year-old Robert Thompson stole £14 worth of Ariel detergent from the Clifton Road shop on February 19 and mincemeat worth £4.80 from the Duke Street store on March 8.

He was caught on CCTV and he pleaded guilty to both thefts in court.

Mitigating, Stephen Andrews said Thompson had an alcohol problem stretching back to his teenage years but now has his addiction under control.

He said the thefts were borne out of desperation as Thompson was struggling to pay his rent and had not eaten for two days.

Magistrates imposed an eight-week curfew restricting Thompson to his home on Elmfield Street, Darlington, between 8pm and 7am.

They also ordered him to pay £18.80 compensation to Sainsbury’s.