AN off-duty Asda worker who witnessed a shoplifter walking out with a stolen TV followed him in their car.

David James Vincent Morgan visited the Walney Road supermarket on three occasions in May and June and walked out of the store with a Toshiba sound bar, DVDs, cosmetics and a television worth a total of £359.

On May 25 Morgan, 29, was seen entering Asda and filling a basket with cosmetics worth around £50.

He then went into the changing rooms to try on a pair of jeans but when he came out the basket was nowhere to be seen.

On June 26 he walked out of the Barrow supermarket with between six and eight DVDs and a Toshiba sound bar.

The following day he was seen picking up a TV and leaving without paying.

At South Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Wednesday prosecutor Amy Labram said: "On May 25 at 5.53pm the defendant entered Asda, picked up a basket and placed several cosmetic items into the basket.

"He walked to the clothing section, picked up a pair of jeans and went into the changing room.

"When he then reappeared there was no sign of the basket.

"The defendant is seen then walking away, he then put the jeans on the rack and leaves the store but the contents of the basket were never recovered.

"On June 26 at 4.40pm he returns to Asda, walks to the electronic department, picks up six to eight DVDs and a Toshiba sound bar then walked straight to the exit and left.

"On June 27 at 12.15pm he enters the store, picks up a boxed TV with security tags on, left the store and set off the alarms.

"A member of staff was sat in his own car in the car park, he saw the defendant leave the store and witnessed the alarm activating, so he followed the defendant who was on foot in his own car.

"He stopped him and took the TV off him."

The court heard Morgan, of Hazel Close, had three previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Trystan Roberts said Morgan had committed the offences to fund his heroin addiction but had since tackled his substance abuse.

"He admitted the thefts and has pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity," Mr Roberts said.

"He was very honest with the police in interview and admitted what he had done.

"He committed these offences because at the time his use of heroin had spiralled out of control as a result of his mental health difficulties that had deteriorated at that time.

"As a result of this arrest he has taken action to address his problems.

"He has had his medication reviewed for his psychosis and bipolar disorder, and has been attending Unity every day."

Chair of the magistrates Charles Crewdson told Morgan: "We are heartened to hear you have come out of a bad period in your life and you are addressing your addiction.

"We hope that you keep on that path and manage to turn your life around."

Morgan was given a six-week curfew requiring him to remain indoors between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

He was also ordered to pay £90 compensation to Asda, £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.