A MAN who stole cases of booze worth more than £300 after he found out his partner was in a relationship with his best friend later went to Swindon railway station with the intention of throwing himself under a train, magistrates heard.

Wesley Auburn, who has autism, told police he was off his face on alcohol and on diazepam and wanted more alcohol when he went into Asda on Thamesdown Drive in the early hours of December 20.

Prosecutor Kate Prince said CCTV recorded Auburn, 46, of Wilmot Close, The Prinnels, in the store at 1.15am picking up cases of Jack Daniels, Grey Goose vodka and Grants whisky, putting all three in a trolley and leaving.

He got into a van but the cameras picked up the registration number and police were able to trace him.

Auburn, who has 33 thefts on his record, most of them shoplifting, pleaded guilty to stealing the alcohol.

Emma Handslip, defending, said Auburn had been living with his partner but it became clear she was seeing his best friend. On discovering it he went to Asda and stole the alcohol, drinking it all over the space of a few days.

He then went to the railway station, planning to kill himself. But because it was Christmas trains were few and far between. So he gave up and left.

Since then he had been referred by his GP to mental health charity Mind. “He regrets what he has done,” she said. He was also seeking help because he wanted to be there for his children.

The bench imposed a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days. Auburn was also told to pay a £85 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.