A THIEF with an entrenched alcohol problem stole packs of lager after he “succumbed to temptation” while he was in a Worcester supermarket.

Kelvin King, aged 50, of Ombersley Road, Worcester, stole two cases of Stella Artois worth £13.98 from the Co-op opposite his home.

King admitted theft whenhe appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.

The manager of the supermarket was alerted by a member of the public who witnessed the theft on Thursday, October 23.

He was then followed by a member of staff, who watched him enter his home with the lager.

Sallie Hewitt, prosecuting, said: “The member of staff told him he had been seen to take the lager. He said, ‘Yes I did’, then walked off.”

King was arrested on Monday, November 24 – no explanation was given in court about the delay in arresting him.

Mrs Hewitt said: “He stated to police he had gone into the Co-op with the intention of buying food but had limited money with him.

“He said he then succumbed to temptation.”

CCTV footage confirmed that it was King, she said.

King’s last conviction was Friday, October 17 for being drunk on a highway, which also put him in breach of a conditional discharge that was imposed in September for theft.

Mark Lister, defending, said: “He has had an entrenched alcohol problem for a number of years.”

King, who is on incapacity benefit, was ordered to pay a £65 fine, £60 court costs, a £15 victim surcharge and £13.98 in compensation for the lager he drank.

King, who already had £400 of outstanding debts with the court, will now have a further £153.98 added to the total.

He will pay back the money at a rate of £5 a week.