A MAN stole bedding from a shop after his benefits were stopped, a court heard.

Andrew Spears, of Cambridge Lodge in Clare Hill, Huddersfield, appeared before Kirklees magistrates.

He admitted the theft of bed linen worth £90 from the Yorkshire Linen store in Victoria Lane, Huddersfield.

Linda Fowler, prosecuting, said the theft happened on November 24. Spears removed three products and placed them in a bag before leaving the store.

The manager chased after Spears after being alerted to the theft by a member of the public.

He was stopped and the bedding was recovered.

Spears, 26, said in interview that he had intended to sell the stolen property.

He told police that he was struggling for cash after his benefits were suspended.

Magistrates were told that Spears was last in court in December for theft and given a conditional discharge.

Jonathan Slawinski, mitigating, said his client had a long standing problem with class A drugs.

He added that his client was currently on a court-ordered drugs rehabilitation requirement and doing well.

Magistrates gave Spears a conditional discharge for 12 months.

They told him to pay £15 victim surcharge.