A MAN with £60 in his pocket has admitted attempting to steal a bottle of booze from Tesco Extra.


John Joseph Stokes, aged 26, of Oxford Street, Latchford, attempted to walk out of the store on Winwick Road on November 1.


He was carrying a bottle of peach schnapps worth £13.


Halton Magistrates Court heard on Thursday he pulled the security tag off but was stopped at the door by a police officer who was already in the store.


Stokes, who was with two women, tried to claim he had not stolen the booze as he had yet to leave the premises, but was arrested.


The defendant pleaded guilty to theft.


Gary Heaven, defending, said Stokes is on benefits and is the sole carer of his son.


Magistrates sentenced him to a conditional discharge, and to pay a fine.