A WORCESTER man stole three computer memory cards from a city shop because he was under pressure to pay off debts, a court heard.

Sam Roper, of Hathaway Close, Dines Green, stole Play-Station memory cards from HMV on Thursday, March 1.

The 30-year-old, who is unemployed, was caught on CCTV stuffing the cards into a jacket.

Sina Akhtar, prosecuting, said: "At 4.40pm on Thursday, March 1, he was caught on CCTV trying to conceal a number of items, and when the staff checked they saw him taking the memory cards.

"He was detained a small distance away from the store and on his return was found to have three cards on him.

"He told police he stole them because he was trying to pay off some debt."

Chiles Hamer, defending, said: "I'm told he was arrested and the police had a debate about whether or not to deal with him by way of a fixed penalty notice.

"He has made a guilty plea for the offence, and says he did it because he had run into debt, not a large one, but one which put him under pressure with a particular individual to pay it back."

Magistrates fined him £50 for the offence of theft.