Shoplifter caught cooking-up spoils - court

11:06pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

A MAN was caught by police cooking the food he had just stolen from a shop, a court heard.

James Thomas, of St Andrews Road, Pershore, stole a jar of Dolmio sauce and minced meat from the Co-Op store in King George's Way.

Prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court Gemma Goode said Thomas took the food from the display and left without paying.

"When police went to his house later that day they found him cooking the food he had stolen," said Miss Goode.

"He said he had no money and he had stolen the items for his tea that evening."

The cost of the goods totalled £5.98.

Thomas, 27, admitted the charge of shoplifting on Wednesday, April 30.

In mitigation, Emma Smith said his last conviction was for a similar offence, which he had been given a community order for.

Miss Smith said Thomas was now living with his pregnant partner and young son, and he had managed to combat his problem with heroin.

"He realises he now needs to provide for his young son and the baby on the way," she added, saying he had now got a job as a machine operator.

"On this week he had only worked a two-day-week. They were very short of money and he wanted to provide food for his son and partner," she added.

Chair of the magistrates Sue Jones said they took a dim view of him offending when he had only been in court a few weeks earlier.

"In future, make sure your two young children really are thought about.

"You gave up drugs for them now get your life on track," she said.

Thomas was fined a total of £180.98.

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