A MAN WHO “led a feral existence” has been jailed for stealing £50 worth of groceries, including a bottle of vodka, from the back of a Co-Op on Arran.

Steven Shankland, of Aldersyde Cottage on Arran, took the items when they were outside the store after they had been dropped off by a delivery van on April 11.

The court heard that when the 30-year-old was caught by staff at the Brodick store, he pleaded with them “Don’t call the police”.

Defence Solicitor Peter Murray told Kilmarnock Sheriff Court that Shankland “is living a feral existence” and likened his home, Aldersyde Cottage, to a “converted barn” with “no utilities we would accept in a home address”.

He also described Shankland’s lifestyle as “very, very poor at the moment” and said that he had been raiding bins to feed himself.

He pleaded guilty to stealing the items on April 11 and was sentenced to 80 days in prison.