AN alcoholic was spotted by an off-duty police officer trying to steal wine from a store.
Andrew Bentley, 33, attempted to walk out of the Sainsbury's store, in Darlington, when he was stopped by the police officer.
He arrested Bentley, who pleaded guilty to shoplifting, and the £4.94 bottle of red wine was recovered.
Bentley, of Pensbury Street, Darlington, also accepted that his guilty plea put him in breach of a conditional discharge which he received in November for possession of a Class B drug.
Darlington Magistrates' Court decided to leave the 12month conditional discharge running and added a community order consisting of 12 months supervision and nine months alcohol treatment.
No award for costs was made.
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