A MAN has been jailed for shoplifting while suffering from a "drug-induced psychosis".South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard 22-year-old Joe Bartlett had been hearing voices in his head before trying to steal two pairs of jeans from Allders in Ipswich town centre.

A MAN has been jailed for shoplifting while suffering from a "drug-induced psychosis".

South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard 22-year-old Joe Bartlett had been hearing voices in his head before trying to steal two pairs of jeans from Allders in Ipswich town centre.

Claire Hullock, defending, said Bartlett, of Defoe Crescent, Colchester, had been suffering from a mental condition diagnosed after he tried to set himself on fire at a petrol station.

She said he could not explain why he tried to steal the jeans.

Miss Hullock said: "In the weeks leading up to the offence, Mr Bartlett had been suffering from what has been diagnosed as a drug-induced psychosis.

"He was hearing voices in his head, seeing shadows and feeling very paranoid."

She told the court Bartlett had suffered from a drug problem for a number of years.

David Taylor, prosecuting, had earlier told magistrates how Bartlett was caught by Allders staff on May 20.

He said Bartlett went straight to the jeans rack and selected two pairs of Levis worth £40 each.

Mr Taylor said staff then saw Bartlett roll up the jeans and walk towards the exit. He was stopped and police were called.

In jailing Bartlett for five days, magistrates said they had taken his early guilty plea into consideration.