Self-service checkouts come in for criticism as Derry man charged with stealing can of Smirnoff Ice
District Judge Barney McElhom, who cited 'enough bad experiences' with self-checkouts, said he was not going to lock defendant up for a can of Smirnoff Ice and granted bail on the condition that he does not go into any branch of Tesco and not be intoxicated in a public place
Supermarket self-service checkouts came in for criticism as a man has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with stealing a can of Smirnoff Ice.
David Nixon (30) of Kinsale Park in Derry was charged after police were called to Tesco in Lisnagalvin on March 19.
When police arrived, Nixon was said to be highly intoxicated and had reportedly taken a can of Smirnoff Ice from a four pack and drank it without paying.
Nixon was arrested and when interviewed said he could not remember what had happened due to a head injury.
Police opposed bail, stating a 'extensive, relevant and recent' record.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley told the court that Nixon was simply a 'drunk man's that had gone to Tesco and struggled to use the self-checkout, calling a cashier over to help.
He said that CCTV showed Nixon to be 'waving about a payment card' before removing a can from the four pack and drinking it in the shop.
He added that there is a 'huge relationship' between alcohol and Nixon's offending.
District Judge Barney McElhom, citing 'enough bad experiences' with self-checkouts, said he was 'not going to lock him up for a can of Smirnoff Ice' and granted bail on the condition that he does not go into any branch of Tesco and not be intoxicated in a public place.