A COWDENBEATH man who had previously been a 'useful' part of the community was caught stealing from food shops twice in one week.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday was told that his alcohol and drug problems has been the catalyst for this sort of offending.

David Philp, 49, of Rosehill Crescent, previously admitted that on July 18, at The Co-operative Group on Bank Street, Lochgelly, he stole a quantity of meat and coffee; and on July 24 at Morrisons on High Street, Cowdenbeath, he stole a quantity of food items and alcohol.

Depute fiscal Claire Bremner said that £31.75 was fully recovered when Philp was stopped by the police and £28.03 was also recovered when he was stopped by a employee whilst he was leaving the premises.

Defence solicitor, Alexander Flett, said before 2013 his client had never been in trouble with the court for this type of offending.

"His problems link to a alcohol and heroin addiction," he added.

Sheriff Charles MacNair said: "Although you started offending late in life, it appears you're making up for lost time.

"It is coming to a point that if you offend again you will face a custodial sentence."

Philp was given a community payback order of two years supervision and a restriction of liberty order for six months.