A 62-year-old shoplifter has been given a 12-month conditional discharge after stealing groceries worth nearly £11.

Albert Gonzalez, of Foxhall Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty when he appeared before the town’s South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court to theft from a shop.

The offence occurred at Sainsbury’s in Upper Brook Street, Ipswich, on January 28. The value of the items taken came to £10.85.

Prosecutor David Bryant said a security officer at the store saw the theft on CCTV. Gonzalez selected items and put them in his shopping bag before leaving the premises without paying.

Gonzalez told police the items were for his own consumption and he did not have the money to pay.

Mr Bryant said Gonzalez did not have any previous convictions, but did have a caution in March last year for a similar offence.

In addition to his discharge Gonzalez must pay £85 costs and £20 to the victims’ fund.