A MAN sneaked into a curry house and tried to steal bottles of alcohol.

But determined restaurant staff foiled the attempt, and Wayne Lambert, 27, from London Road, Leigh, ended up in court.

Lambert was caught short in an alleyway when he spotted the store room door open and tried his luck, Southend Magistrates’ Court heard.

Lambert pleaded guilty to trespassing with intent to steal from the Mitalee Tandoori in London Road, Westcliff, and was given a suspended 12-week prison sentence.

Loretta Emelgo, prosecuting, said a member of staff discovered Lambert and another man in a store room at the back of the restaurant taking two bottles of booze from the shelf.

He and his colleagues then tried to keep the men in the store room, by holding the door closed, until police arrived.

But the two would-be thieves overpowered them and escaped on March 17, at about 7.30pm.

Passing sentence, district judge Kevin Gladwell said: “This was a clearly serious matter. You have gone on to the premises with other people and there has been a confrontation. It’s not something very pleasant for them, and I’m sure it will affect them.”

Lambert’s sentence was suspended for 18 months.

He must also carry out an 18-month supervision order including alcohol treatment, employment training and the Think First programme.