AFTER losing his job and with no money to pay his bills or to eat, a Chard man stole some DVDs to raise some quick cash.

Matthew Robert Marshall stuffed four copies of Dumb and Dumber 2 DVD into a bag at Superdrug and walked out without paying.

However he was being watched by the store manager who followed him outside and called the police, who arrested him a shortly afterwards.

Marshall, 32, of Coker Way, pleaded guilty to stealing four DVDs worth £39.96 on May 15.

He also admitted stealing some chicken pasta, a chicken pie, yoghurt and shortcake biscuits valued at £12.07 on the same date and failing to surrender to bail when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil.

Prosecutor Lucy Coleman said Marshall was in Superdrug when he was seen to select four DVDs and put them in a bag.

“He left the store without paying for them but was followed by the manager and out of the shop who flagged down a nearby police car,” she said.

“Marshall was detained by the officers a short time later but the DVDs had already been sold to someone else and were not recovered.”

The defendant then said he had several items of food in his bag that he had taken from the Co-op worth £12.07 and during interview he admitted the offences.

He told police he had taken the DVDs and put them in a carrier bag and then went up the High Street and took them to a friend and was paid £6 for them.

He then saw the police and tucked himself away in an alleyway but was arrested.

Defending, Jeffrey Bannister said Marshall had managed to stay out of trouble for some time while working as a panel beater.

“However, just before this incident that job had come to an end but he had not claimed benefits and could not pay for his electric,” he said.

“So when a friend asked him for the DVDs he agreed and was paid £6 for them and then stole some food.”

He said Marshall suffered from mental health issues, and was receiving support from his GP and was now receiving benefits.

The magistrates fined Marshall £73 and ordered him to pay £39.96 compensation to Superdrug and a £150 court charge.