A HEAD chef turned to theft when his life spiralled out of control after he lost his job.

Roland Benson, of Birkby Hall Road in Birkby, appeared before Kirklees magistrates yesterday.

He was on a mixture of medication and Class A drugs when he was arrested following his theft from a Marsh supermarket.

The Huddersfield court was told that the 33-year-old had struggled to cope since being made redundant.

Paul Ramsay, prosecuting, said the theft was on October 12 at the Co-op store at Westbourne Road.

He told magistrates that Benson entered the supermarket at 1pm and walked to the alcohol section where he selected a bottle of Gordon’s Gin. Benson put it in a brown bag and left the store without paying.

His theft was noticed by a member of staff who was unable to stop him leaving at the time. However, Benson returned soon afterwards.

Mr Ramsay said: “He returned to the store an hour later to make some legitimate purchases.

“But he was detained by a security member until police arrived.

“The incident was captured on CCTV and he admitted he sold the gin for £10 to an unknown male.”

Magistrates were told that the bottle of gin, worth £16, was not recovered.

Following his arrest Benson told police that he had been taking medication for his insomnia as well as Class A drugs.

Magistrates were told he tested positive for both cocaine and opiates at the police station.

The Huddersfield bench heard he had five offences on his record, all for shoplifting.

Benson last appeared in court in May after stealing two drills from B&Q at Leeds Road Retail Park.

Magistrates then gave him a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work.

Zahid Majeed, mitigating, said his client suffered from insomnia, depression and anxiety and had been struggling for some time with his finances.

Mr Majeed added that his client, who has a degree in catering, had found life a struggle since being made redundant from his job last year.

Magistrates made a new community order with 95 hours of unpaid work.

They also ordered Benson to pay compensation for the bottle of gin as well as a £60 victim surcharge.