A shoplifter avoided going to prison after stealing a trolleyful of Pimm's and groceries last summer.

At the time of the theft Donald Lamb, of Nelson Street, Melton Constable, was serving an eight-month prison sentence which had been suspended for two years in 2016 for possessing class B drugs.

The 32-year-old was seen in Morrisons in Fakenham on July 28 last year filling the trolley with £312 worth of shopping, including nine bottles of Pimm's, cider as well as rice pudding, crisps and custard.

John Morgans, prosecuting, said Lamb left with the trolley without making any attempt to pay. Staff caught him and got the shopping back.

Lamb admitted the theft to Norwich Magistrates on November 30 last year, which put him in breach of his suspended sentence.

At Norwich Crown Court today (January 16) Judge Anthony Bate sentenced Lamb to 40 hours of unpaid work for breaching his suspended sentence and another 40 hours for the theft. 'It is disappointing to see you back before me,' he said.

In mitigation, Danielle O'Donovan said it was the only offence Lamb had committed while serving the suspended sentence. 'He does his best to help his community,' she said.