Hawick couple admit shoplifting food worth £120 for barbecue at pal’s

A couple walked out of Tesco’s Galashiels store with £121 worth of food for a barbecue without paying for it, Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.
Tesco in Galashiels.Tesco in Galashiels.
Tesco in Galashiels.

Shaun Trott, 51, and Tracey Groat, 48, of Trinity Street in Hawick, pleaded guilty to that offence, committed at the Paton Street superstore at around midday on June 30.

Depute fiscal Fiona Hamilton said: “Members of staff were alerted to both accused entering the store as they were recognised from a previous occasion.

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“They watched them go into the clothing area pushing a trolley in which there were shopping bags.

“They waited for them to leave, and they did not pay for any goods as they went past the checkouts.

“A security guard approached them and said that he thought they had property belonging to Tesco, to which Trott replied ‘yes’.

“The police were contacted at this stage.

“The bags contained meat products and sweets to the value of £121. There was full recovery.”

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The court was told the pair had been a couple for 20 years and that Trott was Groat’s carer.

Groat’s father had just died prior to the offence and the pair were still grieving, it was also reported.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said: “They had been in Galashiels at a friend’s house and they were helping a friend by going to the shops to get items for a barbecue.

“They did have the means to pay for it but, for unknown reasons, decided not to pay.

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“They had pled not guilty, but after seeing the CCTV footage they obviously realised they had decided not to pay.

“Neither of them have any outstanding matters to come before the court.”

Sheriff Kevin Duffy noted that this was the couple’s third offence in a relatively short time, adding: “It is a bit surprising that mature adults are getting into trouble at this stage.”

Trott and Groat were each fined £180, to be paid at the rate of £10 per fortnight.