A father-to-be stole more than £300 of groceries and household goods from Goodmayes Tesco in desperation because he had no money, a court heard on Friday.

Cosmin Zaharia, 24, of Rosebery Avenue, Manor Park, pleaded guilty to the theft at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court.

He walked free after district judge Gary Lucie ordered him to do 150 hours of unpaid work over the next year and gave a £60 fine.

Zaharia stole items worth £318.75 from the supermarket in High Road, Goodmayes, on November 10, but all were recovered.

He was also charged with possession of a stanley knife, found on him during a search, but the court heard it was a tool used when he occasionally worked as a painter and decorator.

Zaharia’s defence lawyer told the court his client’s girlfriend was expecting a child in three months.

He added: “He went to the shop trying to get food for his family but he decided to steal some food, which he put in a trolley, and some things for the child because he had no money.

“He said he was very sorry and it will never happen again.”