A man who became violent when he was confronted and accused of stealing booze from a supermarket has been put on a conditional discharge by a judge.

Christopher Turner, 55, had been spotted grabbing three bottles of wine from the shelves at the Co-op in Pewsey on Thursday, June 19.

But he necame disorderly as he was detained by staff who believed he was leaving without paying, something he has always denied.

And the case ended up before a judge at Swindon Crown Court after the defendant elected trial by jury.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, said: "The defendant entered the Co-op store. He was clearly under the influence of alcohol.

"He took three bottles of wine from the shelf and went to leave the store and was duly arrested."

Turner, of Wearne, Langport, Somerset, pleaded not guilty to theft but guilty to a charge of being drunk and disorderly.

Rob Ross, defending, said his client was before a judge after electing trial by jury when he represented himself having fallen out with the duty solicitor at the magistrates.

He said he had always refuted the allegation that he had stolen the wine, or was taking it, and now accepted the lesser charge.

Mr Ross said that he is currently unemployed and had to find the funds to attend the hearing by public transport.

Judge Peter Blair QC imposed a one-year conditional discharge and told Turner to pay £50 in court costs and a £10 victim surcharge.