A MAN suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease has avoided jail des-pite stealing a shopping bag from a woman with learning difficulties.

Darren Britton, 35, appeared for sentence at Newport crown court after admitting the theft of 65-year-old Jeanette Bailey's shopping bag on March 29.

Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said Britton, of High Street, Blaina, had seized the bag, containing a small amount of cash, and ran off with it after striking up conversation with Ms Bailey and following her home.

Mr Bennett said Britton, "expressing genuine remorse", handed the purse into the police and said somebody else had taken it from her.

He told officers a thief had then dropped the bag and he had decided to take it to the police station.

The prosecutor said: "But as luck would have it, she arrived when he was still there and she identified him as the real thief."

He said Britton turned to Ms Bailey and said: "Stupid old bag. I didn't do it."

But during a police interview, the court heard, Britton said he had carried out the theft after an argument with his father.

Mr Bennett said: "Motivated out of malice, he did it to get back at his father. He regretted what he had done and again expressed remorse."

Jonathan Austin, mitigating, said Britton, who has no previous convictions, had carried out the theft as "a cry for help".

Mr Austin said his client was due to have an appointment at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital where it was hoped that Britton would undergo surgery which would relieve him of his symptoms.

Passing sentence Judge Roderick Denyer, QC, said: "This was a very mean offence against a vulnerable lady and normally it's the sort of offence that attracts a prison sentence."

But the judge, acknowledging Britton's condition, sentenced him to a 12 month community rehabilitation order.

The judge added: "I know you are deeply ashamed and I only hope they can do something about your illness at Frenchay."