A WORCESTER man who stole a trolley-full of meat worth more than £480 from a supermarket has been handed a community order and a fine.
Christopher McManus, of Burford Close, Warndon, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday (May 6).
The 30-year-old was stopped by police in the early hours of the morning on April 9 after he was seen pushing a trolley filled with Tesco meat packages worth £480.97 on Wood Green Drive, Warndon, the court heard.
Jackie Rogers, prosecuting, said: “All the packages were stolen from the store. It was all recovered and put up for sale again. He made a full admission and stated he was drunk.
“He went to the store to buy beer but when he was there he filled the trolley with meat and left the store without paying.”
Mark Turnbull, defending, said: “He was somewhat perplexed by it all and has vague recollections.
“He had been drinking all day and was extremely intoxicated.
“He had been in an argument and decided to go for a drink with friends, it was the combination of different drinks. He doesn’t know why he did it as he had cash on him.
“There was very little planning and premeditation and no force was used.
“He was in fact spotted nearby struggling with it all by an off-duty police officer who thought it odd for him to be pushing the trolley at that time.
“He has previous convictions but is currently in employment which gives him stability.”
McManus was handed a 12-month community order with an alcohol treatment requirement.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of £50, court costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £85.
