A THIEF was pressured to steal in order to pay back his father, a court heard.

James Worton-Griffiths pleaded guilty to stealing two £180 Sharpe televisions from Sainsbury’s in Hedge End after he had old drug debts and money he borrowed from his dad to pay off fines.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that the 38-year-old was caught by a security guard at the supermarket on July 12 when they realised there was a gap in one of the shelves.

Prosecuting, Sital Mond said the security guard reviewed CCTV following his suspicions and saw Worton-Griffiths steal the television at 6pm. An hour later he was seen doing exactly the same.

Ms Mond added that the police were able to find one of the televisions but could not confirm what happened to the other.

Mitigating, Michael McGoldrick told the court that Worton-Griffiths felt “under pressure” to pay back old debts after kicking a drug habit.

He said: “There was an old debt with a dealer that he had as well as he believed he needed to pay back his father.”

Mr McGoldrick added: “He also cares for his partner now and accepts what he did.”

Worton-Griffiths, of Creedy Gardens, Southampton, was given a nine-month community order, which includes six-months of drug rehabilitation and 15 hours of rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was ordered to pay £180 compensation to Sainsbury’s. He was also told to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.