Robert Taylor, 57, of Carpenter Drive, pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court on Monday.

He was given the fine but because of his limited means and because he had already served a day in custody magistrates decided to let him off.

Chris Bull, prosecuting, told the court how Taylor had been seen stuffing the £8.49 bottle of vodka into his pocket at the Lidl store in Hastings.

He then tried to pull his jumper over the top of the bottle and leave but was stopped by the shop's security.

Mr Bull also revealed Taylor has a lengthy history of offending, including numerous thefts.

Sam Wingfield, defending, told magistrates Taylor had been trying to keep out of trouble.

She said: "He had not been having a good day and fancied a drink. His giro had not cleared and he had not money so he took the bottle."

The court also gave Taylor a £50 for failing to attend a previous court case but decided to deem the payment paid in lieu because of the time he had spent in the cells.