By John Connell

Last updated at 12:13, Saturday, 04 August 2012

A bungling thief who stole a can of super strength lager worth £1.79 now owes the courts more than £400.

Andrew George Morris, 27, of Dowbeck Road, Carlisle, admitted stealing a can of Special Brew from the Co-op in Denton Holme on July 19.

He had tried to conceal it up his sleeve but had been spotted by a shop worker.

Pam Ward, prosecuting at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court, said when he was asked by police what he had done with the can, he said that he “must have drank it”.

Chris Toms, defending, said Morris had been “under a great deal of pressure” following the death of his girlfriend.

He added that Morris suffered from depression and sciatica and was “unlikely to be fit for work.”

The court heard that Morris already owed the court £374.

For stealing the Special Brew, he was fined £60 with a victim surcharge of £15 and £160 costs. This will be added to his existing fines

He was also ordered to pay back the cost of the beer he stole.

First published at 10:49, Saturday, 04 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk