A 28-year-old man who blamed a life-threatening head injury for his impulsive acts of theft has been given a community sentence for stealing from an outdoor wear shop.

Joseph Atha, of Nile Street, Cross Roads, Keighley, took a £220 Rab jacket from CC Outdoors in Grassington in October and was recognised by shop staff when he returned at a later date, Skipton magistrates heard.

Atha, who had been with another man on his return trip, had been chased by a member of staff and had got away in a black BMW car, but was traced through its number plate.

At the time of the offence he had been on a 40-week prison sentence, suspended for 20 months. Atha, who pleaded guilty to theft last month, has now been sentenced following reports.

The court heard in mitigation that he had been the victim of an assault in 2010 which had left him in a coma.

Julian White said he had recovered, but as a result had suffered a personality change and was subject to impulsive acts of behaviour.

He was handed a 12-month community order with a 30 days’ activity requirement and ordered to pay costs of £85, a victims surcharge of £60 and compensation of £220.