Thief stole cider after being on a booze bender

A SHOP thief told police he stole cider because he had run out of booze at the end of an “11- day bender”.

Kieran Harkess took two bottles of Frosty Jack cider after he was told by a shop assistant he could not buy alcohol because it was 6am.

The 21- year- old, of nearby Bambro Street, had walked into Hendon Discount Stores in Villette Road, on September 26, Sunderland magistrates heard.

“The defendant walks in and inquires about a slab of lager,” prosecutor Paul Anderson said.

“The shop assistant explains that no alcohol can be sold at that time of day.

“He leaves the store and comes back and grabs these two cans and walks out. Police catch up with him three days later.

“He informs police he and his friend have been on an 11- day bender and that they had run out of alcohol.”

Chris Wilson, mitigating, said: “There was some exaggeration on his part as to how long he and his friends had been drinking.

“They had run out of money and he made the erroneous decision to go to the shop and take two bottles of Frosty Jack cider.

“The lady in the shop knew him. He knew he was never going to get away with it. His character is now somewhat tarnished.”

Harkess admitted theft and was fined £ 80. He was also told to pay a £ 20 victim surcharge, £ 85 costs and £ 7.98 in compensation for the cider.