A THIEF was caught red-handed trying to sneak out of a supermarket with a bag of booze.

Unfortunately for Bruce McCusker, 38, he was also snared with the knife he used to cut off the bottles' security tags.

It was around 2pm when the accused entered the Morrisons store. He was then observed by witnesses removing bottles of alcohol and placing them into a foil-lined carrier bag.

As he made his way out of the city shop – making no attempt to pay for the items – he was stopped by staff.

When the police arrived, McCusker was asked if he had anything sharp on his person.

He presented a black-handled lockback knife, stating: "Just this."

When cautioned and charged, he admitted: "I've been stupid."

The stolen goods – worth £76.90 – were recovered.

The incident happened on April 18, 2017.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court this week, McCusker pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol and having a knife in his possession without a reasonable excuse at the Morrisons store on Crow Road.

Defending, Mr Robertson claimed that his client had the knife to remove the stolen items' security tags and "not for another reason".

He explained that McCusker lost his job and spiralled into drug addiction.

Sheriff Alayne Swanson told the accused: "Mr McCusker, these are serious matters."

The accused, of Broomhill Drive, was sentenced to a Community Payback Order with supervision for 12 months.