Man who stole £40 bottle of gin from M&S was 'more than polite' when stopped
A court was told a man was "more than polite" after being stopped and spoken to about the theft of a £40 bottle of gin from Marks & Spencer in Ballymena.
Gary Mairs (49), of Andena Grange, Ballymena, committed theft on August 7 last year.
The defendant appeared at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday via video link from prison.
A prosecutor said the defendant walked out of the shop without making payment. She said the gin was "not recovered".
A defence solicitor said when security staff approached the defendant he remained at the scene and was "more than polite".
The lawyer said the defendant is an alcoholic.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the defendant had a "terrible" record of 95 previous convictions and handed down a two months jail term.