TWO shoplifters have blamed boredom for stealing a bottle of vodka and a packet of crisps.

Gary Oates and John Thorne both pleaded guilty to stealing the vodka and crisps from the One Stop Shop in Barnards Green Road, Malvern, on Thursday, March 24.

Sarah Stock, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, said as the pair left the store Oates, of Worcester Road, Newland, Malvern, turned to a member of staff – who both defendants knew – and said: “You’re are not going to say anything about this, are you?”

Thorne, of Rectory Lane, Madresfield, Malvern, also admitted stealing a bottle of vodka from the One Stop Shop in Pickersleigh Road, Malvern, on Friday, January 14.

Andy Childs, defending, said his clients, both aged 22, had been unemployed and bored but had found work since the incident.

“They have moved away from life on the dole,” he said. “Both had fallen into a lifestyle of heavy drinking.

“They had nothing to do. This was a phase they were going through.”

Both men were fined £150, ordered to pay the shops compensation and court costs.

Thorne was also fined £200 for the second offence.