A man with a 20 cans-per-day lager habit assaulted a Lidl security guard who tried to stop him shoplifting meat.
Robert Whyte was seen acting suspiciously upon entering the Lidl store on King Street in Aberdeen.
The 42-year-old was watched as he filled his backpack with “several meat items” and moved towards the exit.
But when staff confronted him, Whyte reacted angrily, throwing the bag to the ground and striking one of the members of staff on the arm repeatedly.
‘Common sense goes out the window when he’s under the influence’
Fiscal depute David Rogers told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around 6.30pm on April 22 2021.
He said when Whyte was stopped from leaving he became “irate”.
Mr Rogers said: “During this time, the witness was struck three times by the accused to the arm.
“He was restrained and police were called.”
The meat, valued at £40.50, was fully recovered.
Whyte, of Cairngorm Drive, Aberdeen, pled guilty to charges of shoplifting and assault.
Defence agent Sian Grant said her client, at the time of the offences, was consuming “20 cans of lager per day” and also taking “street valium”.
‘You appear to have moved on’
She went on: “Unfortunately, his common sense goes out the window when he’s under the influence of these substances.
“He expresses his apologies to the shop workers involved.
“Since this, he’s been doing his best to stay on the straight and narrow.”
Sheriff William Summers told Whyte: “You have an extensive record for previous convictions.
“I recognise these were committed almost two years ago and you appear to have moved on since then.”
He ordered Whyte to complete 160 hours of unpaid work and be supervised for a year.
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