A Pembroke Dock man who admitted stealing alcohol and food from a local supermarket has been fined by Haverfordwest magistrates.

Twenty-six-year-old Sean Anthony Christopher Vernon, of Water Street, pleaded guilty to the offence of stealing items to the value of £40.07 from the Asda store in Pembroke Dock, on March 13, when he appeared before the court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said that shortly after 4 pm on the day in question, a member of staff at the store was informed by a customer that they had spotted someone attempting to steal.

The defendant was seen leaving the store with his basket and making no attempt to pay for items, which included a bottle of vodka, cheese and ham.

After being arrested, Mr. Vernon told police in an interview that he had woken up at a friend's house that morning after a drink the night before and proceeded to start drinking again at 10 am before visiting the store.

"He accepted that he took the items without paying and said that he had the munchies after drinking a three-litre bottle of White Lightning," said Ms Morgan, who told the court that the defendant had a previous theft matter on his record from July 2013.

Mr. Vernon's solicitor, Mr. Jonathan Webb, explained that his client had given a full and frank admission to police.

"He had been drinking the night before and continued the next morning with the 'hair of the dog' and became intoxicated and committed a foolish act," he said.

Mr. Webb also explained that his client had been given a conditional discharge for a previous theft last year which had become a community order after he was charged with making nuisance phone calls.

Magistrates fined the defendant £75 for the theft and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.