A DRUNK man stole two bottles of whiskey from a shop before running into an automatic door, which had failed to open, causing damage to the glass.

Nathan Simmonds was stopped for the theft by security at Sainsbury’s on Windermere Drive, Worcester, but attempted to make a run for it, smashing into the glass and cutting himself.

The 24-year-old had had an argument with his brother at the pub and went to the shop at 9.30pm on January 23 to get some alcohol but didn’t have any money.

“He tried to leave and, in his rush to leave, the automatic doors weren’t quick enough for him,” said his defence solicitor Mark Turnbull, speaking at Worcester Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Simmonds had lost his job as a labourer a couple of weeks before the incident and had been spending more time at the pub, the solicitor said.

Peter Love, prosecuting, said the bottles of Bell’s whiskey were recovered at the scene as was some blood, which was analysed and traced to Simmonds, who’d managed to escape.

Mr Love said, when interviewed in May the defendant told police his “memory was shocking” and he couldn’t recall the incident, but “was shown CCTV and confirmed it was him”.

In July the defendant appeared in court after burgling No. 12 Hair & Beauty salon on Ombersley Road, also while drunk, and was given a 12-month community order, which included alcohol treatment sessions.

Mr Turnbull, defending, said: “Work is being done to address his issues around alcohol which he does feel is related to losing his job and not having a reason to get up.”

The court heard Simmonds had missed two of his four appointments with his offender manager, in relation to his community order.

He has also only completed 27-and-a-half hours of the 100 hours of unpaid work imposed on him.

However, Mr Turnbull explained that one of his meetings had been set for the same time as an appointment at the police station.

While the other was due after a day of unpaid work but he forgot.

“Perhaps he could have done more but he is making steady progress,” said Mr Turnbull.

With Simmonds already owing the court £1,728 in fines and costs, he was ordered to pay a further £185 by magistrates, and £100 in compensation to Sainsbury's for the damage.

20 extra rehabilitation activity requirement days and 40 hours were added to those already imposed as part of his ongoing community order.

Susan Roberts, chair of the bench, said: “You just need to get your head round what you are supposed to be doing.”