FIVE packets of ready-made Sainsbury's sandwiches cost British taxpayers more than £1,000 yesterday.

Michael Lamb, who was seen stealing and eating the snacks, elected to have his case heard at crown court.

Lamb opted to have his case decided by a jury when he appeared at Sunderland Magistrates' Court, and his case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court for trial.

But at the plea and directions hearing yesterday, the 40-year-old pleaded guilty and was conditionally discharged for two years.

The court heard how Lamb had gone up to the sandwich display at the Sunderland city centre supermarket three times and ate packets from the shelf as he strolled around the store.

Lamb then approached the checkout and paid for some goods and picked up two more packets of sandwiches, which he did not pay for, on his way out.

Defence barrister Jamie Adams said Lamb had been drinking heavily around the time the offences took place, on May 15, because of family problems.

Judge Simon Bournearton said: "By electing trial, as was your right, you incurred a great deal of expense to the public - the taxpayers.

"Those five packets of sanwiches, most of which you ate when you were drunk, have cost us, the taxpayers, over £1,000."