AN 80-year-old shoplifter caught with two knives is more than �250 worse off today, but has been spared prison.

AN 80-year-old shoplifter caught with two knives is more than �250 worse off today, but has been spared prison.

Leslie Nicholass used one of the illegal knives to steal printer cartridges from a supermarket because he could not afford to pay for them.

But despite facing a jail term after admitting theft and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon the grandfather was given just a fine.

Nicholass, of Priory Court, Nacton, said after the case at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court: “I've made a terrible mistake. I was under lots of financial pressure.

“I normally get cartridges from the internet - I buy a set (of four) for �10. I was desperate to sort out a project for work and I'd run out of cartridges.

“I'd sent off for new ones but they hadn't arrived and they (supermarkets) charge lots and I felt I couldn't afford them and I stupidly decided to take them without paying.

“I've caused myself and family and people I know lots of embarrassment and I'm very sorry.”

Nicholass, who plans kitchens and bathrooms for a Colchester company and is due to celebrate his diamond wedding anniversary next year, was seen by security guards in Sainsbury's Warren Heath on April 5 cutting open cartridge packets with a silver knife.

Colette Griffiths, prosecuting, said: “He put the cartridges in his pocket before paying for some small items.

“He was detained in the car park and found with eight cartridges worth �78.23. He produced a small silver knife and another that was blue.”

Ian Duckworth, mitigating, said: “You wouldn't normally have the juxtaposition of someone of 80 with a couple of knives.

“He had no idea he was committing an offence with regard to having the knives.

“He was a bit like a rabbit in the headlights when it was explained how serious it was.”

However magistrates told Nicholass he would just be ordered to pay a fine of �50 for each knife, �78.23 to Sainsbury's in compensation, a �15 victim surcharge and costs of �60 - �253.23 in total.