A former addict who stole more than £50 of soap from McDonalds took it to deal with his obsessive compulsive disorder.

Staff at the fast food chain investigated after noticing a man repeatedly going into their toilet but never spending a penny in the Northwich diner, a court heard.

But, after finding needles in the nappy bins, workers called the police when they next saw the man exiting the bathroom – and were shocked at what they found.

Officers discovered soap and a dispenser worth £45 pinched from the ‘I’m Lovin’ It’ eatery’s toilet when they searched Leon Szatkowski’s rucksack on December 15.

And when officers searched the 34-year-old’s home two days later they found even more soap and a large toilet roll all stolen from the fast food branch.

Szatkowski, who has a history of drug addiction, said he had stolen the items to keep in his Stanford Drive home to help with his OCD – which made him obsessed with keeping clean.

“They were kept in his own address for his own use. He is ashamed at this step he has taken back,” said Kate Wilson, defending, during a hearing at Chester Magistrates Court today (Thursday, January 15).

She added that all the items, worth a total of £63, were recovered and that he was getting help for his addictions.

Szatkowski, who walks with a crutch and has 23 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the two thefts from McDonalds and breaching a conditional discharge for theft.

He was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge.