ON the lookout for a wedding present for his brother, an Ilminster man stole two bottles of Grey Goose vodka instead of paying for them as he hadn’t realised how expensive it was.

Kevin Charles Sandy was spotted in the Sainsburys store in Street picking up two bottles of the spirit and stashing them inside his cardigan.

When he was confronted and challenged outside in the car park he handed them over and appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil.

Sandy, 39, of Court Barton, pleaded guilty to the theft of two bottles of Grey Goose vodka worth £80 belonging to Sainsburys on May 4.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said that the defendant was seen to leave the store without paying for the two bottles and was approached outside by a member of staff.

“He handed them over and it was arranged for him to attend Wells police station later where he was interviewed and fully admitted the offence,” she said.

“He said he went there with the intention of buying a present for his brother who was getting married that weekend.

“He did not realise how expensive that particular brand of vodka was, and because it was his brother’s favourite drink he stole them.”

Sandy told the magistrates that he used to have a heroin problem many years ago and had recently fallen back into using it again.

“However I am now getting myself out of it again and am taking medication to help and don’t drink any more,” he said.

The magistrates fined him £40 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.