Man to stand trial after stealing food from supermarket bins – but “he needed it to eat”

A man will stand trial next month after being caught taking food from the dustbins behind his local supermarket

supermarket-1

by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

A man is set to stand trial after being caught taking some tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese from the dustbins behind a branch of Iceland.

It has been reported that Paul May is expected to argue in court that he took the food because he needed it to eat.

There is also the fact that the food was destined for landfill; is there anything illegal or dishonest in taking food from a dustbin?

Paul, along with two other residents of a squat in North London, was arrested as he left the area behind Iceland with a holdall and trolley containing the food.

Is it fair to charge someone for stealing something which has been thrown away?
Is it fair to charge someone for stealing something which has been thrown away?

The total value of the items taken allegedly amounted to £33 and they were of low value, consisting of, according to The Guardian, "tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese and Mr Kipling cakes".

Lawyers for the three men have asked the Crown Prosecution Service to consider dropping the case, but the CPS have insisted it go ahead as there is a "significant public interest in prosecuting these three individuals".

The jury will be forced to consider why people are taking such drastic steps to feed themselves as they struggle with the rising costs of London living.

The case will also highlight how much supermarket food is thrown away, despite campaigns to reduce waste, and question whether people should be punished for "stealing" items which are destined for landfill.

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