FINDING himself at a “loose end”, a man caught a train from Portsmouth, randomly got out at Crewkerne and then went shoplifting.

Staff at the Boots store in the town became suspicious of Lee Keith Taylor who selected a number of items and then stuffed them in a bag.

When he was challenged as he left he admitted the offence adding that he had never intended to pay for them.

Taylor, 29, of Westbourne Road, Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to stealing various items worth £19.76 belonging to Boots at Crewkerne on August 8 when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil.

Lucy Coleman, prosecuting, said that on the day in question Taylor caught a train from Portsmouth to Crewkerne, and at around 1.30pm he went to the boots store.

“When he was out of view of the CCTV he removed a shopping bag from under his shirt and selected a number of items, including razors, and put them in the bag,” she said.

“He was seen by the manager as he left and admitted the offence saying he was not intending to pay for the items.”

When he was interviewed by the police he said he caught a train with no destination in mind and just ended up getting out at Crewkerne.

He admitted the offences saying that he would have kept the razor and sold the rest as he had no money on him.

Defending solicitor Gareth Webb told the court that Taylor’s best friend died last year who was somebody that he looked up to and had struggled ever since.

“He quickly got himself into difficulties, his relationship had also broken down and it seems he has just been absolutely knocked sideways,” he explained.

“On this day he found himself at a loose end and did not know what to do with himself so got on a train having no idea where he would end up.

“He got off the train at Crewkerne and had no money so he went to the shop and picked up the items intending to take them.”

He added that Taylor was a qualified football coach and had previously helped to run youth teams and was now at his wits end and just did not know what to do with himself.

The magistrates sentenced Taylor to a 12 month community order with a 30 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and an order to take part in a Thinking Skills programme with the probation service.

A £60 victim surcharge and a £150 court charge were also imposed.