A drug taker from Breage who “needed a hit” did a deal with a woman that if he helped her shoplift from Sainsbury’s in Penzance she would arrange drugs for him.

At Truro Magistrates’ Court Johnathan Jeffrey Ernest Fincham, aged 43, of Pellor Fields, Breage, pleaded guilty to shoplifting with another person, taking goods worth £120.08 on July 24.

Alison May, for the CPS, said he and a female had loaded a trolley with shopping in the store and then left without paying for it.

Much of it was recovered except for items worth £120.08.

Interviewed by the police, Fincham said he had been working with the female because he “wanted a hit”.

He said he was suffering with withdrawals and took her shopping so he could get a hit which she said she would arrange in return.

Fincham, who had previous convictions, was represented by solicitor Polly Morley who said he was reported to be doing well under a previous court order.

He was given a conditional discharge for a year and told to pay compensation of £120.08 and costs and surcharge of £35.