A CONDITIONAL discharge has been imposed on a man who stole from Morrisons to feed himself.

Fred Patterson, 46, of Gladstone Street, Darlington admitted stealing £21.59 worth of meat from the supermarket when he appeared at Darlington Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, February 6).

The court heard that Patterson’s benefits had been sanctioned leaving him with no money to buy food.

After hearing that he was already subject to a 12-month community sentence, magistrates ordered a conditional discharge to run alongside the existing order.

They also told Patterson to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

STOLEN RUM: A man with an alcohol problem admitted stealing a bottle of rum from a Darlington Co-op store.

Michael Prouse, 50, of High Northgate, pleaded guilty to the theft of the £17.49 bottle when he appeared at Darlington Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday, February 6).

The court heard he was already under a supervision order which runs until March 2015 so magistrates ordered a 12-month conditional discharge and a £15 victim surcharge to be paid.