A reformed addict stole booze from a garden centre after dealers lent on him to repay old debts.

Stuart Nixon, 34, was fined £200 by District Judge Paul Goldspring, who praised the new dad’s efforts to get off drugs and turn his life around.

But the judge, who as England’s Chief Magistrate is the most senior district judge in the land, warned: “It really is a last chance.”

Prosecutor Ann Sawyer-Brandish told Oxford Crown Court that staff at Yarnton Home and Garden called 999 on October 4 telling police that a Nixon had taken bottles of alcohol from the shelves and walked out the garden centre.

He was followed out of the store. The hod carrier was accused – although did not accept – of threatening that he would ‘get a knife’ if they continued to follow him. They backed off.

The court heard he had 28 convictions on his record for more than 50 offences, including a large number for theft.

Mitigating, Nawaz Khan said his client had got himself clean of drugs with the help of addiction charity Turning Point.

He stole the alcohol to sell on and raise cash after drug dealers pressured him to repay an old debt.

Nixon had lost his job as a hod carrier but expected to get new work from the start of November. He lived with a partner, with whom he had a four-month-old son.

Appearing before court on Tuesday, Nixon, of The Ridings, Kidlington, pleaded guilty to stealing £240-worth of alcohol. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £119 in costs and surcharge.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445.