A RELAPSED alcoholic was caught stealing after going into a shop with baggy clothing and coming out looking bulkier.

With wine bottle necks hanging out of his clothes, Daniel Mitchell tried to complete the unsophisticated crime from a shop from which he was already banned.

He admitted theft from a shop when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Lesla Small, prosecuting, said: “He was dressed in baggy clothing. He is banned from the store. He was approached by the manager. He had the neck of a bottle hanging out of his shirt. He had two other bottles and three tins of fish.”

The court heard the 38-year-old, of Beach Road, Clacton, has a long history of theft.

This latest one took place at Lidl in Clacton on May 22 with £20.05 worth of goods found on him.

The goods were recovered.

Sarah Steggles, mitigating, said: “He fell off the wagon in May.”

Mitchell was given a conditional discharge for six months. It means he will avoid punishment if he commits no further crimes for six months.

He was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge with taxpayers left to pay the court bill.

Mitchell said he will not be able to pay the £20, even at £5 per week.

He told the court: “I would rather come in with £20 when I can afford it.”

The chairman of the bench insisted, however, he had to pay at £5 per week.

As Mitchell left he said he will end up back in court for not paying the money.