A jobless 24-year-old man who admitted shoplifting at the Tesco store in Cardigan was told by a magistrate that he had rich taste.

In sentencing Henry William Hall presiding magistrate Ian Roffe said “You did not steal beans but steaks and a salmon. You obviously have a rich taste.”

Hall, of 47 Felinban, Cardigan, who was represented by Alan Lewis, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft at the store on the morning of Friday, January 3.

Crown prosecutor Gerald Neave said Hall and another person who purchased a salmon at the fish counter attracted suspicion and after the two went through the check-out separately Hall was pulled up for allegedly not paying for the salmon.

After police were called Hall told them he’d left the salmon in an aisle among crisps because it was too expensive but a search could not locate the fish.

When the defendant was searched items including four packs of sirloin steak, almonds, coffee cream and a salmon to the value of £40.06 were found which had not been paid for.

Hall told police he did not go into the store with the intention of stealing and that he was accompanied by his sister Joanne Lewis who had nothing whatsoever to do with the theft.

Alan Lewis told the court “He intended to pay for the items but was broke after Christmas and temptation got the better of him.”

The court was told that in November last year Hall was convicted of fraudulently obtaining benefit and was ordered to undertake unpaid work in the community.

He was given a conditional discharge of 12 months and in ordering the defendant to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge Professor Roffe told him “Your shopping expedition is going to cost you some money.”