A MAN stole a purse from a supermarket checkout for his girlfriend because she was scared about breaching her bail, a court was told.

Nicholas Grainger took the purse from the self-service checkout in Tesco Express in Foregate Street after Lisa Ellington told him a woman had left it there.

The next day, Ellington used a Boots Advantage Card from the purse to buy £21.70 worth of toiletries from the High Street shop.

Grainger, aged 32, of Arboretum Road, Worcester, pleaded guilty to one charge of theft.

Ellington, currently serving a prison sentence, pleaded guilty to theft and fraud.

Louise Mead, prosecuting at Worcester magistrates court, said the victim left Tesco on Monday, April 18, and went to another shop where she realised she had left her purse, including cash, bank cards and other cards, at the checkout.

Mrs Mead said: “Security reviewed CCTV and saw Ellington use the checkout after the victim, but she left the purse there. A man then came in and put the purse in a carrier bag without making a purchase. There’s confirmation that a man and a lady went into Boots and used a Boots Advantage Card to exchange points for goods.”

Ellington, aged 26, told police she would have stolen the purse and used the credit cards over the phone but was too scared to touch it because she was on crown court bail.

Chris Hilton, defending Ellington, said the former heroin addict had a history of drug-related offences but after attending rehab in October was now drug-free.

“She would have taken the purse herself when she saw it, but she didn’t,” said Mr Hilton. “Her past offending would have meant taking any money or cards from the purse but she did not do that on this occasion.”

Mark Lister, defending Grainger, who was released from prison about a week before the offence was committed, said the couple had come to a mutual decision not to see each other.

Mr Lister said: “Temp-tation was placed in his way, he was told the wallet was there and went back in and took it.

“The majority of his offending has been committed with the co-accused.”

Ellington, who did not give an address to the court, was given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Grainger was given a deferred sentence and will re-appear before Worcester magistrates on October 31.