Thief fined for his part in stealing £600 of Tesco goods

Daniel Robinson admitted one charge of theft after he was caught by police with £600 worth of stolen goods from Tesco in his car.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard that Robinson, of Hylton Castle Road, Sunderland, had driven the car after two other defendants took the items from the Towers Place store in South Shields on March 5.

Two men were captured on CCTV filling a trolley with alcohol before covering it with items like crisps.

The pair then left the store without paying and were seen loading the items into a black Peugeot before leaving, said Oriana Frame, prosecuting.

A member of staff at Tesco contacted police handing over the registration of the car and it was later discovered by police the same day.

Ms Frame said: “The defendant was the driver of the vehicle. Ultimately all of the good were recovered.”

Co-accused Daniel Fletcher also pleaded guilty to the offence and a third man is awaiting trial.

Jason Smith, defending Robinson, said: “Mr Robinson had lost his job at the back end of 2019.

“He was offered the opportunity to make a quick buck and he took that opportunity stupidly.”

Sentencing Robinson, chairwoman of the bench, Roseanne Forster said: “Can you imagine if we all did that if we found our pockets a little too light, we would be a nation of anarchists.”

Robinson was fined £400 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

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