Frederick Loftus stole a quantity of drinks from Waitrose in Cardross Road on February 6 this year.

The 70-year-old who lives at Lochgoin Avenue in Glasgow’s Drumchapel area was appearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for sentencing, having entered a guilty plea by letter to the charge.

Referring to a social work report available to the court, Loftus’ solicitor said in mitigation: “The report is a lengthy one but it seems there is some sort of compulsion for theft”.

Also referring to the report and a letter Loftus had written to the court, Sheriff Colin McKay warned: “You want to get a grip of your compulsiveness and you want to watch what you write in letters addressed to the court.” Loftus was fined £200 and ordered to pay £162.90 compensation.