A HOMELESS man stole bottles of wine from a Hereford corner shop after realising he did not have the money to pay for them.

Joshua David Newbury pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a shop when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

The 29-year-old had walked into Kilpeck Convenience Store and approached the shop's wine cooler on October 9, prosecutor Elizabeth Blacklock said.

But after taking two bottles worth a total of £14.98 from the cooler, he had left the shop without paying.

Newbury also admitted breaching the terms of a conditional discharge order imposed in June.

Chris Read, for Newbury, said he had a long-standing problem with alcohol abuse and had been in court three times in 2021 for being drunk and disorderly.

"He thinks he went into the shop thinking he had money in his pocket, but when he found he did not, he walked out with the bottles. He does have an appointment with the liaison and diversion team who will hopefully be able to help him with his drinking and homelessness."

Newbury, who is of no fixed address was fined £40 and ordered to pay compensation of £14.98 and a £34 victim surcharge. No costs order was made and no action was taken on the breach of conditional order.