Muffin proves costly for Waikanae man

Eating half a muffin in a supermarket earned a Waikanae man a night's accommodation in police cells.

John Akira Marshall, 20, a gibstopper, ate half a muffin while walking around Paraparaumu's Woolworths supermarket on February 18 and placed the remains on a shelf, Porirua District Court was told. He told police he was hungry because he had not eaten for three days.

Marshall pleaded guilty to the theft of a muffin, valued at $1.30. Judge Anne Gaskell said the night in the cells was sufficient penalty and convicted and discharged him.