A SHOPLIFTER has been fined for threatening to stab a CCTV operator who caught him stealing.Levi Wilson, 18, of Layer Marney near Colchester, admitted using threatening behaviour against Alan Theobald on April 17, and had already pleaded guilty to stealing £5 worth of drinks from Tesco at Copdock when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

By Tracey Sparling

A SHOPLIFTER has been fined for threatening to stab a CCTV operator who caught him stealing.

Levi Wilson, 18, of Layer Marney near Colchester, admitted using threatening behaviour against Alan Theobald on April 17, and had already pleaded guilty to stealing £5 worth of drinks from Tesco at Copdock when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor Gareth Davies said the offences happened when Wilson was with a 17-year-old who had been fined for his part in the theft.

He said after the pair were caught: "Mr Wilson became increasingly belligerent and made threats to the CCTV operator. He threatened to cut him and said he would stab him. He was very aggressive."

Defence solicitor Kim Kennedy described the theft of the drinks as "very unsophisticated" and "indescribably amateurish".

He added: "He didn't actually go to attack anyone."

Wilson was fined £150 for using threatening behaviour, £75 for theft and ordered to pay £55 costs.