A homeless man with a drink and drug problem stole two hoodies worth £32 to sell to buy food.
Tomas Karpavicius (32), formerly of Crocus Walk, Spalding, pleaded guilty to stealing the items from town centre store Peacocks when he appeared before magistrates on Thursday.
He was sentenced to nine months supervision by the probation service and must complete six months drug rehabilitation.
Magistrates also ordered him to pay a £60 victim surcharge.
John Clare, prosecuting, said a PCSO identified Karpavicius from CCTV footage.
Solicitor John McKanna said his client is using heroin and drinking cider.