Man was stealing bacon to pay off drug debt

James Bowers, 30, also carried out a separate theft of perfume within 48 hours of being jailed for taking the meat products.

Bowers, of Witham Street, committed the latest offences while on bail pending an appeal against his two-month prison term.

He admitted carrying out the theft from a Boots store on the Newtownards Road on Wednesday.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he put two bottles of perfume valued at £36 in his coat and left without paying.

A store manager identified him, but the goods were not recovered.

District Judge George Conner was told Bowers had received a prison sentence just two days previously.

Defence barrister Richard McConkey confirmed that case involved stealing bacon from a supermarket.

Bowers’ thieving was fuelled by his dependency on drugs, according to counsel.

“He was taking £2 packets of bacon and selling them on in desperation to pay off drug debts he had accrued,” Mr McConkey said.

With his appeal against being jailed for that theft still be heard, Mr Conner imposed a four month sentence, suspended for 12 months, for taking the perfume.