A shoplifter who said he stole groceries and alcohol because he was ‘starving’ and had ‘no money’ has been fined £40.
Alan Whiteman, 51, of Sibden Mews in Shanklin admitted a pair of theft from a shop offences when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week (Tuesday).
Prosecuting on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, Liz Miller told the court that on the 13th April, Whiteman entered Co-op on Shanklin’s Regent Street and placed grocery items – worth £21.55 – into his rucksack and left the store without paying.
A week later, Whiteman entered the same store and picked up 3x 4-packs of Stella Artois – valued at £16.50 – before heading for the door.
Despite being challenged by staff at the door, Whiteman refused to hand the goods over.
None of the stolen items were recovered.
The court heard how Whiteman had been out of trouble since 2019, when he was convicted for a similar offence. Before that, the 51-year-old was last in court in 2008.
Defending Whiteman, Oscar Vincent, told the court that his client was starving and had no-money at the time of the incident. He added that the offending had no planning and was low-value and impulsive.
Magistrates handed Whiteman a £40 fine and ordered he pay compensation of £38.05 to Co-op. He was also ordered to pay a surcharge fee of £16.
