A MAN who was feeling depressed after losing his job stole a DVD player from a Worcester shop.

Brendan Haines thought the item in Woolworths would make a good Christmas present.

Worcester magistrates heard that the 26-year-old was walking through the city centre with an unnamed companion before the theft occurred on Friday, November 9.

"He was seen to enter Woolworths and pick up the DVD player," said Susan Cliff, prosecuting.

"He was observed by a store detective carrying it out of the shop.

"He spotted staff and ran into Marks & Spencer where he dropped the DVD player and ran out of the back of the store."

The court heard that through the Radionet security system, which connects city centre security staff, Haines was stopped.

Haines, of Brookthorpe Close, Warndon, Worcester, admitted the theft of the £99.99 player.

"He got laid off a couple of weeks before," said Mrs Cliff.

"He wasn't too happy about it.

"He told police officers that Christmas was coming up and the first thing he thought was it would make a good present."

The court heard Haines had come out of prison under supervision in August.

"He had a job at Cosworth, earning good money," said Andrew Childs, defending.

"He suffered periods of depression after losing that job."

The court heard he had served three months in prison since his arrest. He had committed theft while on licence.

"If the worse thing he's done so far is picking a box from a display that's not too bad a response," said Mr Childs.

"What he hasn't done is get involved in heavily serious crimes as he's done in the past."

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community rehabilitation order.

He was also fined £240 and ordered to pay £200 costs.