KICKED out of his job and accommodation with his partner, a man went shoplifting after they were forced to live in a tent.

A security guard working at Asda spotted Oliver Williams Wines helping himself to a number of Yankee Candles, and when he challenged him outside the defendant walked off leaving them behind.

When police caught up with him they searched his car and found a quantity of cannabis inside, Somerset Magistrates' were told.

Wines, 23, of The Mead, Ilminster, pleaded guilty to stealing candles worth £72 belonging to Asda at Yeovil on April 7.

He also admitted being in possession of a quantity of cannabis (class B) at Ash on September 7 when he was before the court at Yeovil.

Prosecutor Lucy Coleman said that on April 7 Wines was seen in the Asda store in Yeovil putting Yankee candles into a basket.

She said: “He was acting suspiciously so the security guard left his post and went to the front door but Wines had already left,” she said.

“The defendant was stopped outside and asked for a receipt but he didn’t answer and when asked to come inside, he walked off leaving the candles behind.”

Police later tracked him down at Ash and when they searched his car found a quantity of green vegetable matter inside which was later confirmed to be 1.7g of cannabis.

Wines made no comment during his interview but accepted the cannabis was for his own use saying he used it to help him sleep at night.

Defending solicitor Sam Morton said that Wines and his partner had been working at the Sparkford Inn and had been given free accommodation.

He said: “Overnight the landlord and landlady left the pub and the defendant and his partner were asked to leave, so within 12 hours they were homeless,” he said.

“For the last nine months they have been living with friends and more recently in a tent. There have been threats made to him and his property. That was why he went and took the candles.”

He added that Wines had been smoking cannabis since the age of 11 to help him relax and knew it was a complete waste of money but was now intending to get help from Turning Point.

The magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge on Wines and ordered the cannabis to be destroyed. A £180 court charge and £15 victim surcharge were also laid.