A 23 year old Stroud man who was armed with a knife when he stole from the Millets store in the town has avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Jacob Ali of Reservoir Close, Slad, was given an eight week prison term, which was suspended for a year.

The sentence was passed by Cheltenham Magistrates at a hearing on March 29.

Ali pleaded guilty to stealing £44.80 worth of clothing from Millets on August 10 last year, he also admitted having a lock knife in his possession on the day of the crime.

As well as the suspended sentence Ali was placed on a drug rehabilitation order and told to pay a £115 victim surcharge.

In a separate case which was heard before the same court he admitted using abusive or insulting words and behaviour towards pub landlord Rodda Thomas on August 17, last year and pleaded guilty to being possession of cannabis on Aug 18.

He was fined £10 for the cannabis offence and ordered to pay Rodda Thomas £50 compensation.