A HENSINGHAM man who stole three chickens from a smallholding has been given a one-month curfew as punishment.

Owen Carr, 33, of Devon Road, entered his guilty plea to the theft when he appeared before a judge at Carlisle Crown Court. He admitted taking the chickens or June 8 or 9 at Rosebank, Whitehaven.

The chickens were valued at £75.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to a second theft, admitting that he stole animal feed worth £30. He entered his two guilty pleas on the day that a two day trial after earlier denials was due to begin.

Carr was told that he must pay the owner of the stolen animals and feed compensation of £150 and the same amount again in prosecution costs.

The 7pm to 7am curfew will be electronically monitored.

The case was before the crown court and not a magistrates’ court after the defendant elected to have the case dealt with at the higher court.

Judge Nicholas Barker said the case should never have been put before the crown court.