A MAN brazenly walked into a Crewkerne convenience store and helped himself to eight cans of lager before walking out and not paying, a court heard.

Somerset Magistrates were told that Ivan Herring was not being paid until the following week, and when he realised he needed a drink he decided to steal it.

Staff working at the shop recognised the defendant who had previously been caught shoplifting there and he was later arrested by the police.

Herring, 50, of Seaborough View, pleaded guilty to stealing eight cans of Stella Artois worth £9 belonging to Central Stores in Crewkerne on November 29 last year when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates.

He also admitted breaching a conditional discharge imposed in August last year for a previous matter of theft.

Catherine Flint, prosecuting, said that Herring was seen walking into the store by a member of staff who recognised him.

“She watched him on CCTV and saw him walk towards a display and pick up an eight pack of lager and then turned round and walked past the till area without paying and left the store,” she said.

“The defendant was later questioned by police and admitted the offence saying he remembered waking up and feeling like crap and walked out of the store with the lager as he was not due to be paid until the next week.”

Defending solicitor Jeffrey Bannister said that since the offence Herring had gone back to the store and repaid them the money for the lager once he had sobered up.

He said that Herring used to hold down a good job, however after going through an unpleasant divorce he began drinking and lost his employment as a result.

“In 2015 he paid for himself to go into rehab which was partially successful, but he kept relapsing and has been attending meetings on a regular basis with agencies including Turning Point,” he said.

“Since then he has managed to remain dry for 35 days which he is very proud of.”

The magistrates sentenced Herring to a six month community order with a 15 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and also ordered him to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.