A MAN attempted to steal more than £330 worth of shopping from a Worcester supermarket.

Lewis Smith of Medway Road, Ronkswood, Worcester stole £332 of goods from the city's Asda store.

The 21-year-old admitted theft when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday following the incident on August 24.

Kerry Lovegrove, prosecuting, said the theft happened at around 1.20pm when he left with a trolley full of goods without making any effort to pay. The goods were recovered in a saleable condition so the prosecution made no application for compensation.

Smith made a full admission in police interview, telling officers he only had £5 and had entered the supermarket intending to spend that money.

"He said he was acting alone and nobody else was involved" Mrs Lovegrove said.

Smith was last before the court in 2012.

Ian Parsons, defending, asked magistrates to give Smith credit for his timely guilty plea and admission in police interview.

Mr Parsons said Smith was in receipt of benefits but bank charges had 'swallowed up' the money.

Mr Parsons added: "He made a sudden decision to take as much as he could in the trolley. They were mainly consumable, edible items. He felt desperate at the time."

Smith was described as 'moving forward as best he can' and had been involved in the green fingers project at Top Barn which helped keep him out of trouble for quite a few years.

Keith Stokes-Smith, chairman of the magistrates bench, said he hoped the green fingers project would come good for Smith.

He added: "Hopefully this is a one-off."

Magistrates fined him £50, ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and court costs of £185.