A THIEF who swore at a woman when she disturbed him in her back garden had run off but was followed and photographed by her, a court heard yesterday (Friday).

Simon Ferguson, 28, of Bodfor Street, Rhyl, admitted trying to steal golf clubs worth £600 at St Asaph on October 21 and shoplifting at Rhyl in August.

Magistrates at Llandudno imposed a 16 weeks suspended jail term with £40 compensation to Farmfoods and £200 costs.

Court chairwoman Carol Ashton told him there was a “degree of intimidation” in the attempted theft.

Prosecutor Diane Williams said the woman had alerted her family and went after Ferguson with her brother-in-law in a vehicle. Ferguson said: "What’s the f---ing problem?"

Nia Dawson, defending, said jobless Ferguson had been in and out of custody most of this year.

The probation service would work with him to address his offending.