UNABLE to manage his money or kick his drug habit, and faced with a pile of dirty clothes, a shoplifter stole washing tablets from a local supermarket.

Michael Robert Bunce, 40, of Newport Street, Ryde, admitted stealing Aerial washing pods, worth £10, from the Ryde Co-op when he appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates today (Friday).

Defending, Keith Verrinder said: "Quite simply, Mr Bunce would say he has a limited income and has difficulty managing his money on a fortnightly basis.

"He was running out of clean clothes and the only way he could get some washing powder was to take the tablets without paying for them."

Bunce was given a conditional discharge in February and a community order in June for similar matters.

The court heard had engaged well with the probation service, but continued to take Class A drugs and associate with known drug users.

He was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £105 in costs and charges, plus £10 compensation to the Co-op.