A MAN spotted fleeing a shop carrying a box of beer he had not paid for has been fined £100 by magistrates.

Andrew Gordon, 21, of Park Road, Milnthorpe, admitted stealing a case of Budweiser beer and a bottle of Brewers Droop from the Spar Shop in Milnthorpe last December.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting, told the court that Gordon came into the shop in a "somewhat intoxicated state" around lunch time and bought a savoury item.

"He was then seen to leave by the staff exit, apparently carrying a box of beer," said Mr Kelly.

As he fled the shop, a bottle of Brewers Droop beer was smashed.

Gordon was later arrested and interviewed by police but he denied the theft, saying he had taken the box for his sister who was moving house.

In mitigation, Paul Anthony said that when police interviewed Gordon he was still under the influence of alcohol, having by then consumed the beer he had stolen.

He added his client, who since admitted the theft, realised it was a foolish thing to do.

South Lakeland Magistrates also ordered Gordon to pay £12.64 compensation and £118 costs.