A thirsty thief paid an almost daily visit to the supermarket near his home, paying for a £5 bottle of cider but always adding a second to his shop.
But there was no “buy one - get one free” deal operating at the Tesco Express in Scone’s Perth Road.
Over a three-week period, chef Kevin Nairn (59) visited the store on a total of 15 separate occasions, purchasing one bottle and stealing another.
But his shoplifting spree came to an end when staff checked the CCTV, Perth Sheriff Court was told.
The multiple thefts, which took place between October 5 and 26, 2019, led to Nairn, of Queen’s Road, Scone, being handed down a community payback order as an alternative to jail.
He had originally faced 22 separate counts of stealing a single bottle of cider from the store between October 5 and November 13, but seven of the charges were dropped.
Sheriff William Wood told Nairn: “Clearly there was no deal on to buy one and get one free.
“The 15 charges are on almost consecutive days.
“The court has had to consider whether a custodial sentence might be appropriate.
“It’s only your age - and the fact you’re a first offender - which saves you from that.”
The accused maintained: “I had intended to pay for the second bottle.
“But when I got home I realised I hadn’t. It escalated.
“I would be more than happy to pay the money back.
“I totally regret the whole situation.
“It’s almost like I blocked it out when it started.”
Ordering Nairn to complete 120 hours of unpaid work within the next five months and pay £75 compensation to the store, Sheriff Wood added: “It seems as though you have been a bit of an idiot.”
