AN ELDENE man has been warned he could go to jail after stealing nearly £150 worth of alcohol from a supermarket.

Roger Moore, 36, of Collingsmead, tried to run of with a basket full of booze from Sainsbury's on Saturday.

But he was spotted by security staff and arrested. He appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court yesterday where he pleaded guilty to the theft.

Prosecuting Rob Welling said: "He had an empty basket that he was filling with alcohol spirits worth £148.

"He then placed two bags of flour on the basket and attempted to leave without payment.

"He was detained by several members of security staff and he was aggressive."

Defending Rob Ross said that Moore had left his wallet with a friend outside and gone to get it so he could pay for the drink.

"He has got himself a little tipsy and rather stupidly after realising his money was outside he tried to walk out.

"It's quite simply down to the fact that he was a little bit drunk and had left his money with his friend and instead of putting the basket down he went out with it."

Mr Welling told the court that CCTV from the store had not supported Moore's story.

Magistrates adjourned the case until June 26 so that pre-sentence reports could be carried out.

Chairman of the bench Malcolm Wilford said the probation service would consider prison as an option for his punishment.