A GREENOCK man who stole £50 worth of fabric conditioner and candles from the town's Bargain Buys store has been fined nearly six-times that amount.

Allan MacLean, 37, of Bearhope Street, committed the offence at the shop in the Oak Mall in March whilst subject to a number of bail orders.

Defence lawyer Paul Keenan told the sheriff court: "This was not linked to the funding of any drug habit.

"They were items he says he needed."

Sheriff Sheena Fraser told MacLean: "Whilst I'm not entirely convinced that fabric conditioner and candles are absolutely essential in life, I accept that this was not linked to drugs."

The sheriff fined MacLean £290.