Would-be builder Jamie McAlinden sank ten pints to celebrate passing an exam - but his last drink landed him in bother.
He necked half of a £6.50 bottle of wine he took from Tesco on Shakespeare Street, city magistrates heard.
It added up to a £163.50 court bill for McAlinden, of Redcliffe Road, Sherwood. He admitted stealing and drinking half a bottle of wine on July 13.
Ian Boddy, mitigating, said he had just completed a CSS course which allows him to work in the building trade.
"He was celebrating that success and got drunk and just didn't know what he was doing," he said.
"He took a swig out of the bottle and handed it to the security officer. He was then arrested and charged.
"It was a one-off. He was celebrating the end of three years progress on his behalf," said Mr Boddy. McAlinden is currently on benefits but plans to sign for an employment agency shortly.
Sanjay Jerath, prosecuting, said McAlinden, 29, told police he had downed ten pints and was "really drunk".
He went on: "He said that he acted stupidly, went into Tesco, took a bottle of wine and drank half of it."
McAlinden was fined £40 but must also pay £85 prosecution costs, a £32 government surcharge and £6.50 for the wine. After being sentenced, McAlinden gave the magistrates a thumbs up sign.
