DESPERATE Christopher Grace stole pet food for his dogs and cats after he was landed with a £500 vet bill.

Grace, of Lyndhurst Road, Chesham, pleaded guilty to burgling a garage when he appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday.

The court heard he stole £130 of pet food from the garage for his two dogs and five cats after one of his dogs lost a leg in an accident.

Prosecuting, Helen Khan told the court Grace was seen stealing boxes of food and cat litter with another man by two young girls in May last year.

She explained that the garage belonged to a greengrocer who used the lock-up, at the back of Greenway Parade in Chesham, to store some of his stock.

The police were alerted and questioned the 33-year-old who initially claimed he had bought the food off a man in a van for £55.

Miss Khan added that Grace disputed dates and timings when he was told he had been spotted in the garage.

The court also heard that Grace had a long line of previous convictions going back to 1980.

But Justin Rouse, defending, said that the burglary was the first time Grace had been dishonest for several years. He explained that Grace had been addicted to alcohol and drugs even though he was trying to remedy these problems.

Mr Rouse said Grace had stolen the food to feed his animals at a time when he owed fines and had to shell out £500 after his dog's accident.

The court also heard that Grace looked after his sick father and mother who he was hoping to move in with at Overdale Road, Chesham.

Judge Daniel Rodwell QC adjourned sentencing for a feasibility study to be made regarding future accommodation for Grace with his parents but added: "That is only an option I am considering and I am not making any promise to the defendant that will be the sentence he receives."

Grace was remanded in custody pending sentence.