A DROITWICH man stole two expensive candles because he needed food, a court heard.

Forty-year-old Terry Dowling, of Queen Street, had entered Smart Ideas, in Droitwich, on May 18 and was seen acting suspiciously by a member of staff. The member of staff then saw him walking towards the exit with a bag which he was carrying awkwardly.

Security was alerted and CCTV footage identified Dowling, The candles were valued at £20 each and were not recovered.

Mitigating, Barry Newton told Worcester Magistrates' Court that Dowling had had a problem with his benefits at the time. He had no money and took the candles to sell to pay for food.

Dowling admitted the theft and was given a conditional discharge for nine months, ordered to pay compensation of £40, costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.