HEROIN user Mathew Trotman travelled to Devizes to shoplift, but was caught by vigilant staff at Sainsbury's.

Trotman, 31, caught the bus from Swindon and was pushing a shopping trolley piled high with £190.56 worth of goods when stopped by security officer Anthony Shields last July.

Trotman, of Cleverton Court, Swindon, ran off when Mr Shields challenged him to produce a receipt for the goods after catching up with Trotman near the town hall. Trotman tried to punch the man but Mr Shields deflected it and restrained him until the police arrived.

The stolen goods were recovered.

In interview with the police Trotman fully admitted the offence and said he was an alcoholic and heroin user and needed to make money to support his habit.

He pleaded guilty at Devizes Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard Trotman was paying a total of £646 in compensation and court costs relating to an earlier prison sentence. Magistrates decided to impose a 12 month conditional discharge for the shoplifting offence. They made no order for costs.