THIEF Michael Mower stole more than 100 cans of Special Brew strong lager from local shops at a time his life was spiralling downwards through use of drink and drugs. He also stole a Bratz toy car from Woolworths in Ely to help fund both those habits, cit

THIEF Michael Mower stole more than 100 cans of Special Brew strong lager from local shops at a time his life was spiralling downwards through use of drink and drugs. He also stole a Bratz toy car from Woolworths in Ely to help fund both those habits, city magistrates heard on Thursday.

Mower, 34, of Festival Way, Black Horse Drive, admitted stealing the toy car on November 16.

He asked for three offences to be taken into consideration, stealing about 50 cans of Special Brew from One Stop in Littleport, stealing another 50 cans from Spar in Ely, and the theft of 15 more cans from an unspecified store.

He admitted the toy theft put him in breach of a conditional discharge imposed in October for the theft of a razor from Boots in Ely

Mower, currently remanded in custody on a drugs charge, was given a one-year conditional discharge.

Solicitor Michael Judkins said Mower had stolen the drink because he could not afford to pay. He had "radically changed" while in Bedford prison.