A LLANDUDNO chef who stole ice cream from a Cumbrian shop told magistrates his fear of being imprisoned makes him self harm.

Christopher Ellis, 27, of Canol Creuddyn, Llandudno, pleaded guilty to theft at Furness Magistrate's Court on today.

He stole £10 worth of ice cream from Premier Lakes Movies, Kendal, on August 14.

Ellis was also charged with one count of failing to attend court.

Representing himself, Ellis told magistrates: "I moved to Kendal to get out of the drugs and crime world.

"Recently I've had mental health problems and the fear of being in a cell again makes me self-harm. That was my past and it took me so long to change.

"I've kept myself locked in the house for the past month after failing to attend and I may as well have been in the cells.

"This is the last thing left I have to sort before I can get my life back together. I won't let you down."
Ellis, who previously worked as a chef in the Lake District and Blackpool, hopes to return to the town to get another job.

For the theft, Ellis was handed a four-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £10 compensation. He was also fined £50 for the charge of failing to attend.