A 20-YEAR-OLD man previously featured in a News Shopper article about the effect a benefits cap could have on the crime rate has been fined for stealing sweets from a convenience store.

James Smith pleaded guilty to theft after he took £32 of confectionery from Budgens in Southborough Lane, Bickley.

Smith, of Widmore Road, Bromley, was fined £100 and made to pay £20 court costs at Bromley Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday (April 23).

His friend Ben Martin, who appeared in the same article, was given a suspended jail sentence at the same court after pleading guilty to three counts of theft last month.

Martin, of Turpington Lane, Bromley Common, stole from postmen doing their rounds in the Chatterton Road area of Bromley Common.

As well as being given an 18 week jail sentence, suspended for two years, the 20-year-old was also ordered to carry out 280 hours’ unpaid community service as well as participate in an education training and employment programme for 25 days.