A heroin addict who was stabbed in the hand stole six jars of coffee from a shop to fund his habit - but told police he was just “borrowing them”.

Stuart Taylor walked into the Co-op store on the University of Kent campus in June and stole more than £80 worth of jars.

The 37-year-old was later arrested and charged over the matter when, in a police interview, he claimed to be “borrowing” the coffee, but would not return it.

Taylor, of no fixed address but from the Canterbury area, admitted shoplifting when he appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on October 20.

Julie Farbrace, prosecuting, said: “On June 30, he went into the Co-op at the University of Kent and selected six jars of coffee and put them in his trousers and in a bag.

“He then left the store without making any attempt to pay, and the value was £83.10.”

The prosecutor added: “He said he was borrowing them [the jars of coffee], but when he was asked when he was going to return them, he said ‘never’.

“He was in court on July 9 for two sets of matters and was given a suspended sentence, but this new offence resulted in him [later] getting custody.

“He’s due for release tomorrow on that sentence.”

Michelle Pibworth, defending, told the court the offence should have been dealt with when Taylor appeared in court in July, when he was sentenced for two other matters.

She added: “I don’t know why it wasn’t dealt with, but he’s a heroin addict and took the items to sell.

“He was given a 12-week [suspended] sentence in July, and he’s been back in for two weeks.

“He’s homeless from the Canterbury area, and he’s got nerve damage in his hand as he was stabbed a few years ago.”

Magistrates agreed the offence should have been dealt with when Taylor appeared in court in July and issued a compensation order only.

They ordered him to pay £83.10 back to the Co-op and there would be no other punishment.

The bench also told him the debt would be added to his fines account, which he already has with the court.