Court: Newham man stole Tesco food worth £224 in trolley

A man who strolled past security guards with a trolley full of groceries he hadn’t paid for has walked free from court – but was ordered to pay £50.

Zahid Hussain, 35, of Second Avenue, Manor Park, stole £224,79 worth of shopping from Tesco on January 25.

He pleaded guilty at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court today after he returned to the store 20 minutes later and was arrested.

Prosecuting, Paul Nagle told the court Hussain circulated the store with a trolley full of items before walking through the exit “without attempting to stop or pay”.

He added: “He walked straight out of the main entrance into the carpark.

“Security guards grabbed hold of him but he shrugged them off by taking off his jacket.

“He came back about 20 minutes later and was recognised and arrested.”

Mr Nagle explained all the goods were recovered.

He told the court Hussain said he’d been drinking heavily that day and couldn’t remember anything.

“He also said he was asked by an unknown person to push the trolley out of the store but he couldn’t remember why,” Mr Nagle added.

When the chairman of the bench asked Hussain if he had anything to say, he told the court he was an asylum seeker, he didn’t have a job and he was not in receipt of any benefits.

The bench released Hussain on a conditional discharge telling him: “It’s your first offence in the UK so you’re not being punished today.”

He was warned against committing another offence in the next 12 months as he would be treated for that matter and this offence at the same time.

“You do owe the court £50,” the bench added.

“It must be paid within one month and if it’s not the court can take action against you.”