Man fined for stealing two bottles of gin from Asda, Worcester

The court heard that Edward Hendry-Galbraith, of Comer Road, Worcester had been "utilising alcohol to deal with his issues.”

Defending, Joanne Outhwaite said: “He was struggling emotionally, finding things very difficult, he was in a very bad place.

"He was into drink. Since then he had been in work until recently.

" He has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, he recently lost his employment which had a knock to his confidence. He has also been struggling with his relationship with his mum.”

Ms Outhwaite said “He is currently on a community order but the only requirement was unpaid work and that has been completed.”

“He has entered a timely guilty plea, and in fact he was ready and willing to admit his offences in the interview around the time of his last conviction.”

Prosecuting, Shafquat Reaz said: “At 3:30pm on Monday June 17, the defendant entered Asda store, Silver Street. He proceeded to take the bottles of gin, removed the caps and security tags, placing them inside his rucksack.”

Hendry-Galbraith, who appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday also took a T shirt before leaving the store.

He was later stopped outside the store by security.

A probation officer told the court that Hendry-Galbraith has been attending Swanswell, an addiction service in Worcester.

Ms Outhwaite added: “Thankfully he has the support of his father who is at the back of the court today.”

The court heard that Hendry-Galbraith’s father would be paying his court fines.

The magistrate said it was positive to hear he had been taking actions to address his drinking, but insisted that he must pay his dad back as soon as he has the money.

Hendry-Galbraith owes his dad £240.

Last year Hendry-Galbraith was given a community order after he used a giraffe sculpture as a battering ram to smash his way into a shop.

Last year Hendry-Galbraith was given a community order after he