A THIEF who was sprayed with Parva after refusing to leave Bournemouth's branch of Wagamama earlier this year has come back before the courts.

Samuel Hicks, who is of no fixed abode, was handed a suspended sentence in January after carrying out a series of offences at the Japanese chain restaurant in Westover Road.

On Friday, he appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court to admit theft, making off without payment and breach of a suspended sentence order.

The defendant, 28, ordered a meal worth £38.97 from Harvester on the seafront at Boscombe on May 19, but left without paying after telling staff he needed to get his lighter.

On November 7, he stole vodka, salmon and sushi from Aldi in Palmerston Road.

Prosecutors withdrew a third charge of making off from Harvester without paying a £98.58 bill on January 29.

Richard Oakley, prosecuting, said the defendant had consumed two bottles of vodka with a friend before stealing from Aldi. "He selected various items, concealed them and left," he said.

"The goods were recovered and the defendant was interviewed. He said he had consumed two bottles of vodka with a friend before going to get more. He was highly intoxicated."

Hicks admitted a series of charges in January, including using threatening words or behaviour, fraudulently obtaining food and drink, assaulting a police officer and damaging a police cell.

Mr Oakley said the offences took place after Hicks dined at Wagamama.

"He ordered food to the value of £51 and then said he had no means of paying for it. He was asked to leave the restaurant, but refused and threatened to smash a window," the prosecutor said.

"He picked up a bottle of soy sauce and threw it. Police attended and the defendant was aggressive and argumentative."

Eventually, the officers were forced to spray Hicks with Parva, it was said.

Leah Dillon, mitigating, said Hicks was "homeless and starving" earlier this year.

"He went to Harvester. He went off without paying because he had no means of paying," she said.

"He was living on the streets and had no money or food. Alcohol was involved."

Hicks, a former bricklayer, has been out of work since shattering his leg in a serious car crash, she said. He also found the body of a relative after an overdose, it was heard.

"This was a horrible, shocking experience," Ms Dillon said.

Hicks is finally "motivated to change" and is seeking support from the probation service, it was said.

The case was adjourned until December 21 so a pre-sentence report can be prepared.