Lisburn man ordered to complete 200 hours of community service after stealing baby formula
A Lisburn man has been ordered to serve 200 hours of community service after he was found guilty of stealing baby formula from a shop in Maghaberry.
William Scott Norman Bickerstaff, 37, whose address was given as Hammond Farm, Upper Ballinderry, had pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft at a previous court appearance. However he was found guilty by District Judge Rosie Watters, who said she did not believe that he simply forgot to pay for the items.
The court heard that on January 16, 2024 police received a report from the Eurospar in Maghaberry of a theft from the store.
CCTV was observed and showed a male enter the store and lift two boxes of baby formula. He then paid for one box but left without paying for the second box.
Police identified the defendant by his car details. When questioned the defendant said he had made a mistake and had returned to the store to pay for the goods.
Defence told the court: “While he does have a number of entries on his criminal record, there is a significant gap in his offending as well.
"He maintained at contest that the theft was accidental, that he meant to pay for the items. He accepts responsibility for the offence.
"A downturn in his mental health may be a factor in the commission of the offence. The items were relatively modest in value.”
District Judge Rosie Watters told the defendant: “I am not going to send you to prison today.”
Ms Watters imposed a community service order for 200 hours.