A Penzance meat thief was ordered to have treatment for drug dependency when he appeared in court this week.

David Lee Brookes, of Lanoweth Road, pleaded guilty to five counts of stealing meat from the Co-op in St Ives at Truro Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The 25-year-old committed the offences over a nine day period between June 14 and 23.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing fishing equipment from a shed in Penzance the month before, on May 10.

Chair of the magistrates, John Richardson, handed down a community order to Brookes calling for him to undergo six months worth of treatment for his drug dependency.

He was also ordered to pay £94 in compensation, which will be recovered from his benefits.