A RYDE man with an "appalling" record of offending stole alcohol after becoming down about a reduction to his universal credit.

Alex Cooper, of George Street, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old admitted theft from a shop in Shanklin, on September 6.

Prosecutor, Ann Smout, told the court Cooper was seen by officers in the town and searched and detained under the misuse of drugs act.

She said officers found four bottles of alcohol in his bag, which he confessed he had taken from a nearby Co-op without paying.

Mrs Smout said officers saw a male matching his description take items to the value of £86.50 on the store's CCTV.

The court heard Cooper was already serving a community order for numerous offences of theft.

Barry Arnett, defending, said Cooper's record had been appalling in the past, but it was his first offence since November, 2020.

He said his offending started back in 2018, and rocketed when he mixed with the wrong crowd, but he was now on the straight and narrow.

Mr Arnett said Cooper had received a glowing report from his probation officer, who revealed he had completed all of his unpaid work requirement and was engaging well with the service.

He said the offence, described as a blip by magistrates, arose from Cooper becoming down about a reduction to his Universal Credit.

Cooper was fined £40 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £34 surcharge.