An Isle of Wight man stole two pasties, two bottles of wine, a quiche and £380 worth of Nike clothing to "fund a habit", a court has heard.

Carl Etheridge, of Royal Street, Sandown, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 19.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from a shop.

The first offence occurred on September 12, 2023, Liz Miller, prosecuting, said.

Etheridge, 48, entered the Co-op on Sandown High Street, picked up two pasties and a quiche, valued at £6.30 and walked out the door.

On September 27, he went into the town's Sainsbury's store, pocketed a bottle of Mill Grove wine, valued at £10.50 and left. He did the same on October 5 and took another bottle of wine.

On another occasion, on October 22, Etheridge attempted to leave Sports Direct in Newport with eight Nike tops. Staff were able to stop him and retrieve the items, after he tried to exit through a closed door.

Ms Miller said Etheridge "stole to fund a habit".

Barry Keel, defending, said three or four of the items taken were food of "low value" and Etheridge stole them because "he was hungry and struggling with debts".

He said he was a "vulnerable individual" who had no friendship group or family members and alcohol had "got the better of him".

He added "there was a suggestion" he took from Sports Direct because someone told him to.

Magistrates handed Etheridge a conditional discharge for 18 months.

He was also ordered to pay compensation to the Co-op and Sainsbury's.