A MAN stole two crates of beer from an off licence an hour after he had attended the same shop and given his address while placing an order.

John Stenning, aged 22, of Shortlands Gardens, Bromley, was fined £175 for stealing alcohol worth £50.94 from Refreshers Wine Shop in Beckenham Lane, Bromley.

Bromley Magistrates' Court heard Stenning went to the shop on November 17 to put an order in for some spirits, giving his home address.

An hour later at 4.15pm, he returned and grabbed two 24-can trays of Stella Artois before running out of the store.

When police attended his address, Stenning told officers the beer was hidden under a mattress in his back yard, before stating that someone else must have put it there.

Stenning pleaded guilty to theft. He was also ordered to pay £100 court costs.