A SHOPLIFTER when caught after stealing from Gargrave Co-op told police "I'm banged to rights".

Matthew Wilkinson went to the High Street store with another man on two consecutive days in October taking food and alcohol of an unknown value, heard Skipton Magistrates Court yesterday (Friday).

The court heard the haul included five bottles of whisky, cheese and coffee.

The men, who drove off in an Suzuki Vitara, were identified from the store's CCTV cameras. Police located the vehicle, with the bottles of whisky still in it.

Wilkinson, 48, pleaded guilty to theft on October 19 and October 20. The other man had been dealt with separately, the court was told.

Wilkinson, previously of Cowling, and now of Carlby Drive, Keighley, told magistrates he had been out of trouble for 15 years; but at the time he had just found out his son had been diagnosed with cancer.

"It is not an excuse, but I fell off the right track, and feel awful about it," he said.

He added he now had stable accommodation, was employed and was working with Project Six in Keighley about his drinking.

Wilkinson was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £26 surcharge.