A teenager told police he decided to steal two bottles of wine because he was 'feeling brave', a court heard today.

Louis Buckley, of Cadge Road, Earlham, was attending a house party on December 23 where guests had been asked to bring a bottle.

Norwich Magistrates' Court was told the 19-year-old visited Tesco Express, in Earlham Road, and decided to leave without paying for two bottles of sparkling wine, worth �9.99, after realising he did not have his wallet.

A witness to the theft at around 8.45pm called police and Buckley was caught.

Prosecutor Lisa Britton said: 'He made full admissions to the theft and says he stole two bottles of alcohol. He says he went into the shop feeling brave, realised he didn't have any cash and decided to steal the bottles. He was not drunk but had had two cans of Stella.'

Buckley, who is currently completing a radio technician course, pleaded guilty and told magistrates: 'Sorry for being an idiot.'

He was fined �50 and ordered to pay a �15 victim surcharge.

Buckley also accepted he had breached an existing sentence, issued for battery on March 10 last year. But magistrates ruled no additional punishment would be issued.