A MAN who took groceries from a Burnley supermarket told magistrates he had been leaving the shop to be sick.

Mark Milne, 34, told the Burnley bench he took an "array" of medication for pain and mental health problems and had not got over the death last September of his girlfriend.

Milne was said to have been drunk and to have swung the basket at a security guard when he committed the offence at Sainsbury's. He said he had been drinking lager but was not under the influence of alcohol when he stole items worth £31.43.

The defendant, of Latham Street, Burnley, admitted theft. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay £65 costs.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, told the court Milne missed the guard by a few inches after swinging the basket at him. The defendant was grabbed by the arm and taken to the floor.

Milne told the justices he had been suffering from dizziness and had felt sick. He had been trying to get medics to change his medicines.

He said:" I hadn't gone in to steal. I have been confused more than anything."

The defendant, who said he had had four hip replacements and couldn't work, added he did not think he had got over the death of his 24-year-old partner.