AN ALCOHOLIC who pinched a bottle of rum from a Chard supermarket on New Year’s Eve told police he was so drunk he could not remember what he had done.

Michael Straw was spotted by a member of staff working at Tesco removing a security tag from the bottle of booze and put it into a basket.

When the store manager saw him leaving the premises without paying for it he was brought back inside and arrested, Somerset Magistrates were told.

Straw, 54, of East Street, Chard, admitted stealing a bottle of Navy Rum worth £11 belonging to Tesco on December 31.

On behalf of the prosecution, Lucy Coleman told the court said that on New Year’s Eve, the defendant went into the shop just before 4pm.

She told the court the manager started to follow Straw after he was told by another member of staff that he had removed a security tag from a bottle of rum.

Ms Coleman said: “Straw then walked towards the exit and the alarm sounded so he was told to return to the store.

“A bottle of rum was recovered and when he was arrested and interviewed by police he said he could not remember what he did as he was too drunk at the time.

“When asked if he was an alcoholic he replied “yes” and said he took the bottle because he was thirsty.”

Ms Coleman then told the court that Straw had told police the reason he was an alcoholic was because of an underlying health condition.

She said: “He added that he had suffered five heart attacks which scared him so he drank.”

Representing Straw, defending solicitor Sam Morton said that Straw was currently a voluntary patient at a mental health unit in Taunton due to his alcohol use and mental health problems.

Mr Morton added that Straw was also currently being assessed by doctors due to his mental health problems.

Mr Morton told magistrates: “He made full admissions during the interview but although he is subject to post-custody supervision at present after being sent to prison last November he is not a prolific shoplifter.

“This offence was committed whilst subject to that supervision and.

"He has since been given a warning by the Probation Service for that.”

The magistrates imposed a 12 month conditional discharge on Straw.

He was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge but no costs.