A teenager’s army career aspirations were left hanging in the balance after he admitted shoplifting cider.

Ethan Shay Rich, 19, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, July 31.

Rich, formerly of Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, now living in Cwmman near Lampeter, admitted stealing a case of cider worth £10 from Iceland stores, Haverfordwest, on July 16.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said: “He simply picked up a crate of beer and walked out with it.”

The court heard that the offence was captured on CCTV and Rich was stopped by a PCSO because he matched the description, but ran off before other officers arrived.

He was arrested shortly afterwards.

Rebecca Carter, defending, told the bench that Rich, who had one previous conviction for an unrelated matter, was drunk at the time of the incident.

“He is remorseful for his behaviour and accepts he was incredibly foolish. At the time he was under the influence of alcohol. This is out of character for him.”

Miss Carter added that Rich, who was currently unemployed, had ambitions to join the army, and hoped the issues on his record would not affect his recent application being accepted.

Magistrates fined Rich £40 and ordered him to pay £10 compensation for the stolen cider.

He will also pay £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.