A man who stole merchandise from the Esso petrol station in Warwick has been sentenced to nine months behind bars.

Norman Bell, 62, admitted stealing the items, valued at $150, when he appeared in Magistrates’ Court in April.

Senior magistrate Maxanne Anderson originally ordered Bell, of no fixed abode, to participate in drug treatment court for the offence.

However, he was considered unsuitable for the programme and appeared in court for resentencing today.

Highlighting Bell’s numerous previous convictions for similar offences, prosecutor Matthew Frick recommended he spend between six and nine months in prison, followed by one to two years of probation, for the theft.

Apologising for his actions, Bell told the court that he was accepted into the Department of Corrections’ Right Living House treatment programme and he will “try and get his life back on track” while in custody.

Ms Anderson ordered Bell to complete two years probation after his prison sentence ends.

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