A Portadown man who claims he had forgotten about items he had not paid for from a local store has been fined £150.
Court heard the 60-year-old stole red peppers, mushrooms, celery and cheese to the value of £4.32.
Thomas Edward Finn, of Crawford Park, pleaded guilty to theft at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Court heard the theft took place on January 17, and the items had been taken from a Lidl store.
Defence solicitor John McAtamney informed the court the defendant had one similar offence for which he had been sentenced to two months in prison in June.
He stated: “This had been a more substantial theft, of various food items including wine from a Tescos store.”
Mr McAtmaney explained: “Mr Finn had gone to the till and paid for some items, but forgot about the ones he had put in his bag.”
He added: “He has memory problems and is on medication for depression.”
It was revealed Finn had paid for the items in full at the scene and most of them were fit for resale.
Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer stated: “For whatever reason when you were sentenced in June you served two months in prison for a much more serious matter.
“However, on this occasion for such a small value theft, I will be putting a monetary penalty in place.”
Finn was ordered to pay a fine of £150, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 26 weeks.
