A WOOTTON man who walked out of a Ryde store with £96 worth of Yankee Candles has appeared in court charged with theft.

Terry Paul Watts, 31, of Norman Way, Wootton, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, when he pleaded guilty to one count of theft.

The court heard how on February 11, Watts walked into Tesco in Ryde before pretending to leave and walking back into the store and taking the candles.

Ann Smout, prosecuting, said: "Mr Watts left the store but shortly afterwards was seen on CCTV taking the candles.

"There was a stage when Mr Watts was making very frequent appearances in this court. The goods were never recovered."

For Watts, Barry Arnett said: "He needed the money urgently and so he slipped back into old habits. He accepts that what he did was wrong."

Watts was fined £40 as well as ordered to pay £98 to Tesco, as well as costs of £40 and a surcharge of £32.