A LARGS man who stole candles from a shop in an attempt to pay an outstanding drug debt has been spared a jail term.

Kenneth Dowden, of Gateside Street, admitted stealing a quantity of candles from Boots on Main Street on September 26 this year.

The 38-year-old then went to the Co-op on The Promenade five days later on October 1 and stole a quantity of food items.

The fiscal depute at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court told the hearing that the stolen items had a total value of £61 and had not been recovered.

Dowden is currently on a community payback order (CPO) for a separate offence, which is due to run until early next year.

Ellen MacDonald, defending, explained that her client owed money for drugs and was struggling to pay it off, so stole the items in the hope of clearing the balance.

Sheriff Laura Mundell said: "I am going to take a very unusual step by putting you on a second community payback order.

"The purpose in doing that is to extend the period beyond January because the order you are on just now will come to an end.

"I am trusting you to get the support that you will benefit from and not to commit any further offences as you did do in the middle of your other order.

"I am going to keep an eye on you."

Dowden's new CPO will run for 12 months and includes a conduct requirement to get drug treatment, as well as social work supervision.

He will return to court for a review of the CPO in the new year.