Would-be thief ordered to shout morning tea

A man who tried to steal grocery items from a Blenheim supermarket has been ordered to shout the staff a $200 morning tea.

In Blenheim District Court yesterday Judge Tony Zohrab said Steven Gary Page, 26, unemployed, should pay the $200 in emotional harm reparation to the manager of Redwoodtown Super Value after he put $9.77 of groceries in the pockets of his shorts on May 13.

The Marlborough Express reported that Judge Zohrab told Page, who had pleaded guilty to shoplifting, the money should be used to buy morning tea for the staff.

"Dealing with people like you is not the most pleasant part of their job," he said.

Judge Zohrab sentenced Page to 80 hours' community work. He said Page had a long history of shoplifting and stealing.

- NZPA