Two Ipswich shoplifters have appeared in court after one stole a pack of sausages worth £2.50 and the other a pair of headphones in order to repay a loan from his mum.

Stefan Arbon, of Roundwood Road, Ipswich, was given a 12-month conditional discharge after admitting pinching the sausages from Sainsbury’s in Upper Brook Street.

The 45-year-old was caught on March 3 after being stopped by security staff with the assistance of the town rangers.

Prosecutor David Bryant told the court Arbon had told police he had made a stupid mistake and had not stolen anything since 2011.

He also said he could not believe what he had done and was very apologetic.

In addition to his conditional discharge Arbon was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

In a separate case Thomas Moore, of Fore Street, Ipswich, appeared before the same court for stealing a pair of £179.99 headphones so he could sell them to repay his mother the money he had borrowed from her.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to theft from Maplin’s in Carr Street, Ipswich, on March 3.

Mr Bryant said the incident occurred at around 4.15pm.

Moore was caught on CCTV and identified later by a police officer.

He was arrested the following day after an off-duty officer saw him and informed his colleagues.

Moore told police his intention had been to sell the headphones which he had done.

At the time of the offence he was on licence until March next year as part of a jail sentence he had received for burglary.

Shelley Drew, representing Moore, said her client had a number of previous convictions and had been given a warning for breaching the terms of his licence.

The court was told he had borrowed money from his mother to pay his rent and needed to repay her so he stole the headphones.

The court heard he had previously been doing well on his supervision by probation and had been engaging with drug agencies.

Deputy District Judge Richard Hawgood told Moore: “You really deserve to go back into custody. However, there must be reasons why those who supervise you in the community have not triggered your recall (to prison)”.

Moore was ordered to pay Maplins £179.99 in compensation and given fines and costs totalling a further £205.