HUNGER drove a homeless Worcester man to steal groceries from a shop, magistrates heard.

Mark Jones admitted stealing £14.32 of food from the Co-op store at the Bull Ring, St John's.

John Barnett, prosecuting, told how the 29-year-old, currently staying at Avon Road, Tolladine, was spotted taking the goods last Sunday afternoon, May 12.

"The manager saw him acting suspiciously. He saw him select food from shelves and he hid them in his clothing," he said. "He followed him to New Road where he stopped him."

Jones admitted to the manager he had taken some food and the police were called and he was arrested.

Mr Barnett added that Jones had made a full admission to the crime.

Jones, representing himself, said he wanted the food to eat.

"I did it out of hunger," he said. "I'm currently of no fixed address. I had not eaten any food all weekend."

He added that he was currently out of work, and has only just started receiving benefits.

Magistrates fined him £100 and ordered him to pay £50 costs.