PROG rock legends Pink Floyd landed a Kendal man in jail after their music plunged him into a depression.

Sam Simmonite, of New Shambles, snatched a box of anti-depressants when he became ‘extremely depressed’ after hearing the band’s track Wish You Were Here, South Cumbria Magistrates' Court was told.

Diane Jackson, prosecuting, said the 38-year-old had gone to the Boots store in Kendal on May 16 to pick up his prescription.

“As the pharmacist turned his back he was informed by staff that members of the public said they had seen him (Simmonite) take two boxes of drugs and put them in his pockets,” she added.

The court heard when challenged Simmonite refused to give them back and when the staff worker turned his back again he had left the store with the diazepam, worth £50, leaving his own prescription behind.

In mitigation Duncan Nightingale said Simmonite suffered from anxiety and depression and on the day of the incident heard the Pink Floyd tune, which had been played at his father’s funeral. It made him ‘extremely depressed’ and he pinched the pills to help his state.

The defendant admitted he had taken the tablets.

Erica Evans, from the probation service, said Simmonite had been released from prison in March and was taken back to jail in April.

She added he had ‘extensive previous convictions’ dating back to 1999.

Magistrates heard he had been sentenced to 21 months in custody for battery, failing to surrender and a non-dwelling burglary.

After pleading guilty to theft from a shop, Simmonite was sentenced to 28 days in prison, ordered to pay a £150 criminal court charge and £85 costs.

Chairman of the bench Pam Keegan said: “This is your second offence committed since you were released on licence in April.”

He was ordered to serve a consecutive 14 days behind bars for fines owed to the court.