A MAN stole tobacco worth £100 from two Bargain Booze shops in one night, a court heard.

Michael Torkington ran away after being handed tobacco pouches from the stores in Barrow's Settle Street and Risedale Road.

The 19-year-old, of Rawlinson Street, admitted that he stole the items on June 21 when he appeared before South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

Prosecutor Pam Ward told the court: “The defendant went into Bargain Booze in Risedale Road in Barrow.

“He asked for two purchases of tobacco at a combined value of £50.50.

“He provided proof of age with his passport.

"When the items were handed over he ran away and made no attempt to pay for the items.

"He then went into Bargain Booze in Settle Street.

"He asked for the items and ran from the store with the tobacco without attempting to pay for the goods."

Mitigating, Trystan Roberts said: "It's an early guilty plea from this young man who has never been in court previously. He made full and frank admissions at a very early stage.

"He tells me at the time of this offence he was homeless. When people are homeless they can turn to sofa surfing and there are times when those who put them up want payment.

"He was asked to get the tobacco as means of payment."

Mr Roberts added: "This is not the work of a criminal genius."

Magistrates sentenced him to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered £101 compensation for the two shops.