The jury in the trial of the Marquess of Blandford was expected to retire today to consider its verdict.

Blandford, 44, appearing under his full name of Charles James Spencer-Churchill, is accused of shoplifting goods worth 237 from the exclusive Knightsbridge store Harvey Nichols.

He denies a single charge of stealing two pairs of Cutler and Gross sunglasses priced at more than 100 each and a 10 stick of roll-on deodorant.

Yesterday, the heir to the Duke of Marlborough, wept in the witness box at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court as he described the effect drug abuse had had on his life.