A HEROIN addict stole from a supermarket just half an hour after police gave him a lift to Malvern after releasing him following an earlier theft.

Shaun Gould,32, of Elgar Avenue, Malvern, has now admitted two counts of theft at Worcester Magistrates Court.

He was initially arrested after he tried to steal four bottles of champagne worth £55.96 from Lidl supermarket in Malvern on Wednesday, September 30.

Sallie Hewitt, prosecuting, said he was seen walking around with a bag which appeared to be heavy and claimed he had forgotten his credit card when he came to the till with some crisps and bed sheets before attempting to leave the store.

Mrs Hewitt said: “He was taken to Worcester police station and was released, having been charged with that offence at around 2pm. They gave him a lift so far out of Worcester.

"Within half an hour of being released he was arrested in Morrisons supermarket in Malvern.”

In Morrisons, Gould had attempted to steal eight packs of fillet steak worth £53 but attempted to replace them when he realised staff were suspicious.

Mark Turnbull, defending, said: “The issues underlying the thefts are heroin misuse. He has been on heroin for the last 10 years. These offences have been born out of desperation.”

Mr Turnbull said that although he was addicted to heroin he had not been offending and had been relying for money on his grandparents, benefits, including income support and by selling his own property.

Magistrates agreed to defer the sentence until Thursday, February 4 next year. No order was made for compensation because all the items were recovered.

• Your Worcester News was the only member of the media at this hearing.