SHOPLIFTER James Ferris tried to punch a shopworker who was stopping him walking off with an armful of beer.

Ferris, 39, of Stalin Road, Colchester, walked out of a Co-op store with two crates of Stella and some apples.

“He took a swing at a member of staff but was restrained,” said Philip Pearson, prosecuting at Colchester Magistrates Court. Raphael Pigott, mitigating, said the ex-alcoholic took the drink for a friend.

Ferris, admitted shoplifting and a bail offence, and was fined £100.