A SANDOWN man who stole meat from a shop after claiming he hadn't eaten in two days has been sentenced.

James Smith, of Station Avenue, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The 37-year-old admitted theft from a shop, on June 4.

Prosecutor, Liz Miller, told the court Smith had been seen entering the Co-operative in East Cowes.

She said he picked up packets of meat to the value of £44.20 and left without attempting to pay.

Police enquiries led to the recovery of the items but they could not be returned to the shelves.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said it was a straightforward and fairly low-value theft.

He said Smith was detained and kept in a cell overnight, interviewed by police the following day due to a busy custody suite.

He said Smith was fully co-operative and told police he stole the items out of necessity.

He said he hadn't eaten in two days and only had 58p in his pocket. He told officers he was was homeless and hungry at the time.

Smith was given a 12-month community order to include a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 20 rehabilitation days.

He was ordered to pay £44.20 compensation to the Co-operative, costs of £85 and a £95 surcharge.