A 40-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to four weeks in prison after stealing items from a town centre shop as well as an alleged assault.

On Friday, April 7, 2023, Stephen McCouid is reported to have stolen vape pens belonging to the Church Street Boots in St Helens town centre.

The 40-year-old, who is based in Widnes, is reported to have stolen more vapes and a Braun baby monitor from the same shop the following day.

A court sheet from Warrington Magistrates Court also reports that McCouid is alleged to have assaulted a man on Saturday, April 8 in St Helens town centre.

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McCouid indicated a guilty plea to the three charges of theft but pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault on Wednesday, December 13.

Having been released on bail, the 40-year-old failed to surrender to his bail hearing at Sefton Magistrates Court on Monday, February 5.

On Thursday, February 8, Warrington Magistrates Court sentenced McCouid, despite his absence in court, to a jail term of four weeks after a warrant was put out for his arrest.

McCouid's reason for imprisonment is because of the "unprovoked attack of a serious nature" and his previous convictions, the court sheet states.

The court sheet adds: "The offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified."