A HOMELESS Whitehaven man who stole cider, a sandwich and a bag of pasta worth a total of £20 has been left with a court bill for £260.

David Harris, 31, who has 13 similar offences on his record, committed the offence at the town’s Tesco store on January 4, filing a bag with the goods and then walking out without paying, Carlisle’s Rickergate court was told.

The defendant, of Skiddaw Crescent, admitted theft and failing to turn up for a previous scheduled court hearing.

When quizzed by the police, he said he had only been carrying £4.50 when he went to the shop and so stole the goods - but he claimed he would have paid for the goods if he had been able to.

The court heard that he has 49 previous offences on his record, including the previous shp thefts as well as the same number of drug offences. In court, the defendant gave his explanation to District Judge John Temperley.

Harris said: “I was homeless at the time but I’ve got accommodation now. I’ve been there for four weeks.”

He said he was now off drugs. The judge imposed two fines of £120 - one for the theft and one for failing to appear for his scheduled court hearing - and £20 compensation to Tesco.

There was no order for costs.