A part-time worker struggling to pay his rent resorted to stealing because was desperate to get the money he needed, a court heard.

Kieron Lowe, 37, told a district judge he was so worried about a threat to evict him from the first flat he had ever had a tenancy for that he stole meat worth £205 from a Carlisle M&S store.

At the city's Rickergate court he admitted a single count of theft.

Prosecutor John Moran offered no evidence for two other alleged thefts of air freshners and a charge of attempted theft which the defendant denied.

Outlining the offence admitted by Lowe, of Hillary Grove, Harraby, Mr Moran said the defendant had walked into the M&S store in Carlisle and helped himself to meat products before leaving without making any attempt to pay.

When questioned by police, Lowe immediately told the officers that he needed to sell things in order to raise his rent money.

The prosecutor said Lowe's criminal record included like offences.

Addressing District Judge Gerald Chalk, Lowe said: “I'd been given part-time work – two days on and two days off, and I was struggling to pay the rent and my bills. It wasn't viable, with all the bills I was getting.

“Then I got threatened with eviction from the flat and it's the first flat I'd had ever since growing up and getting out of custody.

“I really wanted to keep it. I just panicked. That was my downfall.”

Lowe also admitted failing to turn up at court for a scheduled hearing on September 19. He apologised, saying he had got the date mixed up.

District Judge Chalk imposed a five week curfew, which will run from 8pm to 6am, and will be electronically tagged. Lowe must also pay £85 prosecution costs, and a victim surcharge of the same amount.

There was no compensation order for the meat because it was recovered unopened and returned to the shop.

The court heard that the defendant currently owes the court £1,020. Lowe added that his benefits have now been sorted out.