Took items from Tesco and then abandoned them

Paul Robert Benson (24), Glenavon Crescent, Lurgan, admitted the theft of groceries valued at £104.54 on September 3 last year.

The court heard police were called to Tescos in Lurgan after a report of a male shoplifter who left with goods and made no attempt to pay.

The items were found abandoned a short distance away.

Benson was identified on CCTV and when interviewed by police made a full and frank admission.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said that what concerned him were Benson’s previous convictions in 2006 and 2012.

A barrister representing the defendant said she represented him in the last matter and it concerned opening drink in an off licence and consuming 
it.

She said that at the time of this offence his partner was expecting twins, which were now eight weeks old, and a lot of the stuff he took related to babies.

The barrister added that Benson had been told by a friend that you could just take stuff and walk out of the store and not be stopped.

Judge Bates adjourned the case until May 6 so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained to consider all the options such as community service or probation.