A MAN who stole vodka and crumpets has been given three months to prove he has turned his life around.

Derek Tremlett of Springfield Avenue, Hereford pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and one count of assaulting a police officer at Hereford Magistrates Court.

This led to him admitting breaching a 12-month conditional discharge given to him by the same court in December.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said the 46-year-old took two bottles of vodka from Marks and Spencer in Hereford at around midday on March 24.

He was challenged by staff as he was leaving and he ran away, leaving a bottle behind.

Tremlett was then arrested by police officers around 30 minutes later, but he kicked and swore at officers as he was handcuffed.

The court heard Tremlett then stole chicken satay, crumpets and chicken drumsticks on March 31 from Iceland in Hereford. He threw the items to the floor when he was challenged by staff.

Chris Read, defending, said Tremlett had begun to get his alcohol addiction under control, and these offences were carried out when he was in drink.

He said he was receiving help from DASH for his amphetamine addiction, and major abdominal surgery on April 1 had given Tremlett a wake-up call.

Magistrates agreed to give him another chance and deferred sentence for three months. During that time he must not reoffend and continue to work with DASH. Tremlett will return to court on September 14.