A Yeovil man who was due to start a new job as a labourer walked into a shop and stole a pair of boots to start him off on the right foot.

Stephen Alan Bond, 26, of Crofton Park, admitted stealing a pair of Doctor Martin boots with another man, the Western Gazette reported. The boots were worth GBP40 (USD71.76) and belonged to Mole Valley Farmers store.

In the magistrates court this week Julian Stephens, prosecuting, said that Bond had gone into the shop with a friend and tried on the boots.

"Each of the men then put one boot in their jacket and left without paying," Stephens said.

When he was arrested, Bond told police he needed the boots as he was about to start a new job.

Paul Walters, defending, said Bond had been due to begin working as a labourer and forklift driver and had gone to the Mole Valley shop intending to buy a new pair of boots.

Bond was fined GBP50 (USD89.70) and ordered to pay GBP5 (USD8.97) towards costs.