A MAN who stole from two supermarkets in Weston-super-Mare while waiting for a new prescription after relapsing on heroin has been fined.

Christopher Kibby, aged 43, of Clarendon Road, appeared at North Somerset Courthouse on Monday where he admitted stealing four beef joints worth £32 from Co-operative, in Whitecross Road, on April 11. He also admitted stealing Ariel washing products worth £15 from Tesco, in the Boulevard, on April 14.

Prosecuting Mae Lee said: “He went in, saw the beef and knew he could sell it; he took the beef to sell in order to buy heroin.

“In relation to the Tesco incident he said he needed to score, he was desperate.”

Kibby told the court he relapsed after plans to open a business with friends fell through, and said: “I stupidly started using again, just as a cushion, but it went too far.

“I realised I was going to get into trouble and went and asked for help from Addaction.”

But it took a week for a new prescription to be made available.

Kibby said: “There was a void between when I asked for help and when they could get me a script. I was walking around, not wanting to be doing this. But I had no money.”

He was fined £73, ordered to pay £47 compensation, £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and a £150 court charge.