HUNGRY and living in a tent, 20-year-old Craig Downer stole a couple of pasties and some pasta salad from a March store.

Downer was caught on CCTV as he helped himself to the snacks, and this week admitted theft when appearing before Fenland magistrates.

Downer, who still lives in a tent but has a postal address in North Street, March, admitted shoplifting, stealing food worth �3.73 from Trade and Save on July 26.

“He went to the police station voluntarily on August 10 and was arrested,” the court heard from prosecutor Andrea Fawcett. “He had no where to live and no money, and was hungry.”

Solicitor Roger Glazebrook explained: “He and his mother went to live in London, but he came back. He slept at a friend’s house, but is now living in a tent.

“He has signed on, and got his first job seeker’s allowance this week. He took the pasties and salad to eat; he did go into the store intending to steal.”

Fining Downer �50 with a �15 surcharge, presiding magistrate Alan Jones told him: “It would have been cheaper to pay for the food.”