A MAN stole from supermarkets after becoming addicted to drink.
Neil McIntosh, of Holme Park Court in Berry Brow, was before Kirklees magistrates yesterday.
The Huddersfield bench was told that on December 2 he entered the Aldi store in Milnsbridge.
He filled a trolley with £135 worth of food and then pushed it out of the store, making no attempt to pay.
The 48-year-old was back in the store again on December 8 and stole more than £50 of goods.
He was caught by staff stealing from the Beck Road branch of the supermarket on January 20.
Workers detained him but he managed to push past and escape before police arrived.
McIntosh then stole from the Asda store in Sheepridge on February 8, while he was on court bail for the other thefts.
This time he tried to take more than £200 worth of food from the supermarket, but he was detained in the foyer and the items were recovered.
Linda Fowler, prosecuting, said he admitted the thefts in interview.
He said he was an alcoholic and had intended to sell the food at a pub to buy more drink.
Magistrates were told that there was a considerable gap in McIntosh’s offending until 18 months ago when his health started to deteriorate.
He underwent a triple heart bypass but this had been unsuccessful and he had continued to suffer from ill health.
He lost his job due to his illness and had turned to drink to cope.
McIntosh said that his alcohol dependency has ruined his life but he now wants to deal with his issues.
Magistrates gave him a community order for six months with an alcohol treatment requirement.
