A CHARD drug addict who stole some booze from a supermarket while struggling with withdrawal symptoms said he didn’t want to do it but his “demons got the better of him”.

Christopher Harris was struggling to cope and went into Tesco in Chard to buy an energy drink, but when he saw there were no security guards around he helped himself to several bottles of vodka.

On another occasion he succumbed to stealing over £100 worth of razors and also took an expensive jacket to sell for cash.

The 30-year-old defendant, of Coles Place, appeared in the dock before Somerset Magistrates, sitting at Yeovil.

He pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of vodka worth £40 from Tesco on October 20 last year.

He also admitted stealing razors worth £137.94 belonging to Superdrug on November 8 and the theft of a Barbour jacket valued at £120 from Barons in Chard on November 11.

Prosecutor Christine Hart said the defendant left the shops with the goods on all three occasions and was later identified by police from CCTV footage.

“On the first occasion he said he was struggling with drug withdrawal and went to the store to buy an energy drink,” she said.

“When he saw there was no security staff on duty he stole the vodka and sold them. He later told police he didn’t want to steal it but the demons got the better of him.”

He said the second offence occurred when temptation got the better of him again and he had no intention of buying the jacket but stole it and sold it for £20.

Ray Peters, defending, said at the time of these offences Harris was homeless and suffering with withdrawing from his drug addiction.

“He also suffers with mental health issues and is very sorry he committed these offences but it was for the reasons given,” he said.

“At the time he was on a community order which has now been successfully completed and my client has already apologised to the shop owner where he stole the jacket from and offered to pay for it.”

The magistrates imposed a 12 month conditional discharge on the defendant and ordered him to pay the full compensation owed to each shop. He was also ordered to pay a £21 victim surcharge and £40 towards costs.