A MAN was caught crawling out from behind racking in a DIY store as it was closing, clutching two drills he attempted to steal, magistrates heard.

When asked what he was doing by security staff at Evesham's B&Q, 37-year-old Ian Rock, of Newtown Hospital, Worcester, replied 'nothing mate'.

Prosecuting Claire Thompson said Rock was told to put the items down and leave, at which point he ran off and climbed over a security fence.

Rock appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court last Wednesday, where he admitted charges of theft and attempted theft.

The court heard how Rock also went to Evesham Garden Centre with a woman on another occasion and caught staff's attention as they were walking fast through the store carrying black holdalls.

Ms Thompson described how Rock was out of view for about 30 seconds and, when he reappeared, a water pump was spotted sticking out of one of the bags.

She added: "At this point Rock ran away from the scene and police were called and went into some nearby undergrowth and saw him lying on the floor.

"When asked where the pump was it appears his response was 'they've got them' and it was confirmed someone in a Ford Mondeo had taken them."

Ms Thompson said Rock tried to escape, diving over a nearby barbed-wire fence, but was caught although the pump was not retrieved.

Defending Charles Hamer invited the court to sentence at a later date as Rock had outstanding criminal matters.

The case was adjourned until Wednesday, November 9.

Rock was granted conditional bail.