ROOFER Gilbert Bray was under pressure from his partner to steal to support his two young children, Chippenham magistrates heard.

Bray, of Kenmare Road, in Knowlewest, Bristol, who appeared in court on Thursday, pleaded guilty to the theft of six inkjet cartridges from 3D Computers, in New Road, Chippenham.

He also admitted breaching the terms of a conditional discharge.

But the defence claimed the case was unusual because 37-year-old Bray was not shoplifting to fund a drug habit, but to raise cash for his children, aged six and two-years-old.

The court said Bray was unable to claim social benefits during periods when he was out of work because, by the time his application was complete, more work was available.

Prosecuting, Nicky Wootton said the incident occurred at 2.50pm on October 27, when the manager of 3D Computers looked at his CCTV camera system and noticed a suspicious looking man and woman on the shop floor.

He telephoned his brother who was in the front of shop and had already contacted two police officers.

The manager then saw the man remove the inkjets worth £148.05 from the shelves on the camera and give them to the woman, who put them in her bag.

The manager telephoned his brother and told him what happened as the pair prepared to leave the shop.

When they left they were confronted by two policemen.

The court heard that in an interview with police Bray said he only decided to carry out the theft once he was inside the shop.

He also admitted stealing £300 of goods from the shop on an earlier occasion.

Defending, Lisa Slocombe said the theft was unsophisticated and Bray made a full and frank admission to the police.

Chief magistrate Hilary Light said Bray's ten days in custody was punishment enough for the theft in October.

But he ordered him to pay £300 compensation for the earlier theft, £100 for breaching the conditional discharge and £138 costs for the prosecution.

"It's really time you started thinking before you come to places like Chippenham and steal," he said.

Bray's co defendant was not in court because of ill health.

Her case was adjourned for a week to give her the opportunity to send a sick note to the court.