A MAN has appeared in court after attempting to walk out of a Hereford supermarket without paying for a trolley load of goods.

Michael Brimfield pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Brimfield had been in Hereford's Barton Yard Sainsbury's supermarket when he attempted to leave without paying for a fully-laden trolley at 1.30pm on April 10, prosecutor Melanie Winterflood said.

He was caught out by the electronic security system, which kicked in and stopped the trolley as he tried to leave, and as he tried to lift it to get it out of the store, he was challenged by staff, who grabbed the trolley.

Police were called after Brimfield abandoned the trolley, getting in his car and driving away.

In interview, Brimfield, who told officers he had been suffering with mental health issues, said he did not know why he had walked out without paying and that he had the money to pay for his shopping.

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George Cousins, for Brimfield, said the 34-year-old had been under some stress at the time.

"He was having lots of issues with an ex-partner, and interestingly the person who stopped him was a friend of his ex," Mr Cousins said.

He drove off and was caught and later said he had been suffering from a lack of sleep. He has lost his job over this but is due to undergo an induction for a new job soon."

Brimfield, of Orchard Gardens, Upper Sapey, was handed a 12-month conditional discharge. He must pay costs of £90 and a £22 victim surcharge.