A HOMELESS man who stole a bicycle and fled police was found to also be carrying cannabis.

Martin Sigley stole the pedal cycle and lock from the rack outside Foregate Street Station and was tracked down several days later by police.

The 27-year-old, who began living in a tent after breaking up with his partner and leaving their home, was identified on CCTV committing the theft before being recognised by an officer in the city centre.

Prosecutor Shafquat Reaz said a Police Community Support Officer who knows the defendant saw him 12 days after the theft and was forced to undertake a short foot chase.

He then found a "small amount of cannabis" in Sigley's pocket after detaining him on July 18.

Michael Mooney had reported his bicycle, valued at £230, missing on July 6 at around 3.30pm after locking it up earlier in the day.

Officers then viewed station CCTV which showed Sigley stealing the bike at 1.57pm that day.

Samantha Lamsdale, defending, said over the last few months, Sigley and his partner have had "significant difficulties" which led him to leave the address in Tolladine Road, Worcester, they share.

However, they have now reconciled, but he still stays in the tent several nights a week, she added.

The solicitor went on to say, her client had previously lived at St Paul's Hostel but was thrown out due to rent arrears.

The sentence was deferred until January 2020 to coincide with other charges being heard then.

Prior to Thursday's hearing, the defendant had appeared in magistrates court on July 5 in relation to a shop theft charge, which was also deferred until January.

Mr Reaz explained this was because he had a number of older charges, many dating back to 2017, which are also being heard then.

Sigley has previously been to prison for a driving offence, and on release missed some of the post-sentencing meetings with probation.