A THIEF caught stealing from an Irvine pub has been jailed.

Alexander English, of Victoria House, Boyle Street, nicked £400 worth of goods from The Carrick in High Street on May 27.

The 34-year-old admitted breaking into the pub and stealing a quantity of alcohol, money, keys and shortwave radios.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard last week how the supervisor was opening the bar at around 7.20am.

But she was stunned to see English standing within the bar area and immediately stated she would phone the police.

A desperate English replied: “Don’t phone the police, I need to grab my jacket and stuff.” He then left with various items in his pockets.

English was followed by the supervisor and asked another witness to provide assistance as English walked towards the Bridgegate.

Police attended and found English in New Street.

Keys, alcohol and shortwave radios where he was taken to Saltcoats Police Office and declined a solicitor.

CCTV was viewed at the pub showing English kicking a glass panel at the back door and entering the building.

When being interviewed, English made full admissions and smashed the window because he was “trying to look for stuff”.

The value of the goods was around £400 with £250 being recovered.

English appeared from custody at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week and pled guilty.

Peter Murray, defending, revealed how English has an “extensive record” before the court and has had a long-standing heroin problem.

Although English was placed on a successful methadone programme, Mr Murray said he swapped one addiction with another.

English instead turned to diazepam which Mr Murray said was behind his behaviour on this occasion.

He said English was realistic from the outset and recognised a custodial sentence was all but inevitable.

And that’s exactly what presiding Sheriff Alistair Watson imposed.

English was sentenced to 10 months in prison backdated to May 28.