CHRISTOPHER Dewick stole a £30 joint of beef so he could cook his friend a Sunday roast.

Dewick, 32, of Midland Road, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to theft from shop, when he appeared before District Judge Martin Brown at the city magistrates court. He asked for another offence of shoplifting involving two duvet covers to be taken into consideration. Prosecuting solicitor Sharon Jomaa said: "The defendant entered the Co-op store on Cheltenham Road, Longlevens, on December 6 and was seen on CCTV taking the joint of beef.

"He was arrested and said that he had been on drugs at the time but he took the joint because he wanted to go to his friend's house and cook a Sunday roast."

The judge adjourned the case for sentence by Cheltenham magistrates on February 15 and granted Dewick conditional bail.