Matthew Hatherill, aged 37, of Shelley Crescent in Barry appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court where he admitted stealing from two shops in Barry on June 7.
He took £34.75 worth of food from a Co-op and £68.35 of groceries from a One Stop store, totalling £103.10.
Magistrates sentenced him to six weeks in prison for each offence, suspended for 12 months, with both sentences to run concurrently.
He was also ordered to pay compensation totalling the full value of the stolen goods.
The court said the offences were serious enough to warrant custody, pointing to Hatherill’s previous convictions, his disregard for court orders, and the fact that he committed the thefts while subject to a community order.
However, the sentence was suspended after the court heard there was a “realistic chance of rehabilitation”.
Magistrates were told Hatherill was about to start appointments related to a drug rehabilitation requirement as part of an earlier community sentence.
No prosecution costs were ordered in the One Stop case, with priority given to victim compensation.
The suspended sentence will remain in effect for 12 months.
During that time, if Hatherill reoffends or breaches the terms of the order, he risks serving the prison sentence.
