A MAN who had half his face shot off in a gun attack admitted stealing because his benefits stopped while he was recovering in hospital.

James Sibley stole alcohol from John Lewis, in Westquay, after spending three months in Southampton General Hospital.

He had been recuperating following a near fatal shooting in Crookhorn, near Waterlooville.

He suffered horrific facial injuries and was lucky to be alive after he was confronted by two men wielding a shotgun.

Following the shooting Sibley was in a coma for three weeks and during that time medically died three times.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that months later Sibley, who now lives in Southampton, took a £20 bottle of Jack Daniels and £84.50 worth of other alcohol from the Westquay department store.

Mitigating, Gary Leonard said: “He was left with partial sight loss to his left eye, brain damage, problems with his circulation and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“He was in a coma for three weeks and spent the next three months in hospital.”

The court heard that while he was in hospital his benefits were stopped and although they were reinstated in September, the month of the thefts, the money went into his account and automatically paid off an overdraft - leaving him without any cash.

Mr Leonard added: “He was in a desperate state.

“He and his partner were totally destitute.”

Sibley was shot at point blank range with a shotgun during the incident on February 13 last year.

He was found lying in a pool of blood by his partner outside his flat.

Since the attack he has moved.

In September, the Daily Echo reported that three men and one woman had been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Mr Leonard told the court, that at the time of the thefts in September Sibley was told the charges against those accused of causing his injuries may be dropped - but now a trial is due to take place in Portsmouth.

In sentencing Sibley, magistrates in Southampton said: “Continue to co-operate with probation.

“We wish you well for the trial and that that will provide some closure for you.”

Sibley pleaded guilty to theft.

He was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge and fined £104.50.