Man Stole Lager After Being Refused Credit At Local Store in Ely

AFTER being refused his normal credit arrangement, teenage shoplifter Shane Parker stole four cans of strong lager from an Ely shop. Parker had failed to pay his bill at the Spar store in New Barns Road, so was told he could put nothing else on his slate.

AFTER being refused his normal credit arrangement, teenage shoplifter Shane Parker stole four cans of strong lager from an Ely shop.

Parker had failed to pay his bill at the Spar store in New Barns Road, so was told he could put nothing else on his slate.

But 19-year-old Parker ignored the decision - and walked out of the store with the lager.

Appearing at Ely courthouse on Thursday, Parker, of North Street, Burwell, admitted stealing �7 worth of Carlsberg Special Brew on March 11.

Parker was given a two-year ASBO in March of last year, and the recent theft offence but him in breach of two conditional discharges, one imposed for the theft of four cans of lager from the Budgens store in Witchford Road, Ely, city magistrates were told.

After his arrest, Parker told police he thought the stolen alcohol would be added to his bill.

"He is known to the shopkeeper and was allowed the facility to obtain drink and pay later," explained solicitor Michael Judkins. "On March 11 he tried to persuade the manager to allow him to take the drink away and pay later, but he accepts that on this occasion permission was not granted."

A week after the incident, Parker had picked up his benefit and was on his way to pay his shop bill when he was arrested.

Parker's girlfriend is pregnant and he is trying to stop drinking alcohol, added Mr Judkins.

Parker was given a 12-month supervision order. He must perform 150 hours of unpaid work, and pay �7 compensation and �50 costs.

"You are on a slippery downward slope and what we are trying to do is to stop that and put you on an uphill course," Parker was told by presiding magistrate Mary Rone.