Meat thief spared jail sentence

A serial thief who loaded up a shopping trolley with hundreds of pounds worth of meat before brazenly walking out the door has been spared prison.

Ian Wilcox, from Forres, stacked up packets of meat and a pizza when visiting the Marks and Spencer store in Elgin.

The 39 -year-o ld grandfather was caught on CCTV taking the items on June 24 last year.

Police were called after other shoppers became suspicious when they saw him with the trolley-load of meat, valued at about £300, in the High Street store’s car park.

Yesterday, Wilcox appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court after admitting stealing groceries.

Fiscal Alex Swain said: “The accused could be seen on CCTV taking various meat packets and putting them in the basket.

“He then walked out without paying. There were a total of 39 items missing, which were valued at about £300.”

Sheriff Chris Dickson told Wilcox he had “an appalling record” for theft.

However, defence agent Shahid Latif explained his client should be spared prison because his circumstances had improved since the offence.

Wilcox, of Silk Court in Forres, was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and placed under supervision for a year after admitting a single theft charge.

“Hethen walked out without paying”

Serial thief Ian Wilcox was spared jail