DEVIZES darts player Mark Hiscock was forced to steal drink from the One Stop shop in Eastleigh Road to get his mobile phone, a present from his wife, returned to him.

Hiscock, 30, from Roseland Avenue, pleaded guilty before Kennet magistrates on Tuesday to stealing eight cans of Carling Black Label lager and two bottles of white wine from the shop on April 6, despite attempts by the staff to stop him walking out with it.

Hiscock told police he had been drinking with friends. He showed them the new mobile phone. One of them took it from him and refused to give it back until he had stolen the drink.

Sambeena Arif, defending, said Hiscock had been held to ransom and had stupidly done as he was told.

A community psychiatric nurse from Green Lane Hospital said that Hiscock had a borderline disability and had a very simple way of working things out which meant that he was easily led. He also suffers with anxiety and depression, particularly since the death of his mother two years ago.

Hiscock was given an 18-month conditional discharge.