A shoplifter told magistrates he stole six bottles of aftershave from a department store because he couldn't afford to feed himself.

IPSWICH: A shoplifter told magistrates he stole six bottles of aftershave from a department store because he couldn't afford to feed himself.

Aleksandr Lipatrov admitted stealing the items, together worth �293.43, from the Ipswich branch of Debenhams and apologised for the theft but said he stole them in order to buy food.

The 27-year-old appeared unrepresented at South East Magistrates' Court yesterday to enter a guilty plea.

The court heard how Lipatrov, of Rectory Road, Ipswich, had been seen by staff on Monday stuffing a bottle of aftershave into his jacket before walking out of the Westgate Street store.

After being followed and confronted by staff, Lipatrov handed over six bottles concealed in his jacket but became anxious and began walking away when asked to wait for police to arrive.

Officers arrested Lipatrov, who made no comment in interview and was later found to be in breach of a court order, imposed for possessing with intent to supply class A drugs earlier this month.

Magistrates this time ordered him to see out a 15-month supervision order and six months of drug rehabilitation.

Chair of the bench, Barney Turner, said the punishment had the effect of lengthening the order already handed down to Lipatrov.