Hungry thief locked up after stealing fillet steaks from Aldi

Kyle Weller took the steaks and attempted to leave the store in South Shields without paying, the town’s magistrates’ court heard.

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told the offence put Weller in breach of a suspended sentence and two conditional discharges.

“He was stopped by a store guard,” said Paul Anderson, prosecuting. “It’a a very straightforward offence, and the stolen meat was recovered in a saleable condition.

“But Mr Weller’s record puts him in a precarious position.

“He is in breach of two conditional discharges, and more seriously he is breach of a suspended sentence, albeit one for an unlike offence.”

Weller, 24, of Laygate, South Shields, admitted theft on June 24.

John Kirkham, defending, said: “Mr Weller has to acknowledge he has put himself at risk of custody today.

“He wishes to apologise to the court.

“The theft was nearly six months ago, and at the time he wasn’t even taken to the police station.

“He was spoken to by the officer in the police car who told him he may or may not hear any more about it.

“At the time, Mr Weller was desperate for food and intended to take the steaks home to cook them.”

Mr Kirkham told the court Weller has mental health problems.

“There have been issues of self-harm,” said Mr Kirkham. “He suffers from anxiety and depression.

“His plan is to make a fresh start in North Tyneside.

“Had these offences been more recent, his case would have been weaker, but he has kept out of trouble for six months.”

The bench jailed Weller for 10 weeks, and ordered him to pay £115 victim surcharge.