Shoplifter sentenced after being caught red-handed (From Sutton Guardian)

Shoplifter sentenced after being caught red-handed

9:40am Saturday 12th February 2011 in News By Jeff Kuntz

A man who tried to steal a bottle of whiskey after purchasing twice that amount of Coca Cola at a Cheam supermarket appeared in Sutton Magistrates' Court today.

The court heard that Thomas Kelman, 26, of Elm Grove, Sutton, denied stealing the alcohol despite being caught red-handed at Tesco on Oldfield Road on January 25.

Around 6pm, he entered the store, removed two bottles of fizzy drinks from the shelf, paid at the till, then exited the store – with a bottle of whiskey tucked inside his coat.

Tripping shoplifting alarms as he left the store, Mr Kelman tried to flee across the carpark.

Police intercepted him and recovered the unopened whiskey, but Mr Kelman feigned surprise and said: “I don't know how that got into my bag.”

The defence said Kelman was an alcoholic, but he would never dream of committing crime while sober.

Alan Almbridge, representing Kelman, said: “When he has had a drink he does not know what he is up to. He would love to rid himself of this problem.”

The judge issued the defendant a six-month community order, a 7am to 7pm curfew until May, and recommended he enter an alcohol abuse programme.