A MAN asked shop staff for expensive champagne before stealing joints of meat.

Marcus Alexander, of Longwood Gate, Longwood, admitted theft of £60 worth of goods from the Co-Op.

The 33-year-old appeared before Huddersfield magistrates yesterday.

Carole Lawford, prosecuting, said he entered the Golcar supermarket at 6.45pm on September 22.

Alexander asked staff if they stocked Cristal champagne and left when told they didn’t.

He returned 10 minutes later and was seen putting meat joints into a carrier bag and leaving without paying.

Most of the items were recovered after a store detective grabbed the bag and they fell to the floor.

Alexander said he stole the meat to fund his drug habit.

Magistrates were told he was subject to a supervision order with drug rehabilitation requirement following a recent theft conviction.

They agreed to give Alexander a conditional discharge for six months.