A MAN who came to the UK in search of a better life was forced to steal from a Worcester supermarket within hours of his plane landing, a court heard.

Alex Stoian, aged 29, arrived in the UK from Romania on Saturday with the promise of a job being lined up, but he was instead plunged in to "a world of misery", his defence solicitor said.

Stoian, of Chadwell Heath, Romford, appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to one count of stealing alcohol and groceries worth £485 from Tesco in Warndon Villages on Saturday, July 25, and one count of having an article in connection with the theft, namely a foil-lined bag.

Mark Johnson, prosecuting, said the incident took place at 12.40pm.

"Stoian with with another man in Tesco on Millwood Drive," he said.

"They both had foil-lined bags for the purpose of getting through the scanners. They were filling their bags with bottles of whiskey and brandy.

"A member of staff at the store noted Stoian's companion was talking loudly on a mobile.

"Staff saw the companion flee from the store and they stopped Stoian fearing he would do the same and the police were called.

"He told police he had to come to the UK looking for work, which he had been promised, but when he got here he realised that wasn't going to happen. He wants to go home but doesn't have the funds."

Gary Harper, defending, said: "In Romania Stoian had a job in a fast food chain. He has a partner and a young child and his father has cancer.

"He wanted to come to the UK to raise money to pay for his father's treatment. He is the victim here.

"He had the carrot of a better life dangled in front of him but he found a world of misery.

"When he arrived in the UK on Saturday, he was met by a man called Stan who said Stoian owed him money for air fare.

"He said Stoian would have to be involved in a theft to repay him, and if he didn't comply he would be beaten. He found himself in a car travelling to Worcester with Stan, who co-ordinated this. He is not a seasoned shoplifter."

District judge Morgan Jones said: "It's clear to me this was carefully planned and it's clear you have been exploited."

He ordered Stoian to pay a £180 court charge. Stoian had already spent a day in custody.