Absolute discharge for taking dumped food from King's Lynn Boots

A solicitor has taken a swipe in court at Boots the Chemist’s policy of disposing of unwanted food.

Ruth Johnson’s comments came as she mitigated for a homeless man who took a pack of sandwiches from the bin area of the retailer’s premises on Hardwick Retail Park in Lynn.

Miss Johnson told Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 14): “He didn’t want the food to go to waste. He thought that if Boots had chucked them out, they didn’t want them anymore. He is struggling to understand that it constitutes an offence and I’m inclined to agree with him.

“Quite why Boots can’t donate these items to a homeless shelter goodness only knows.”

The court was told James Riley, 31, was spotted “rummaging” at the rear of Boots by police on patrol at 3am on December 10. He pleaded guilty to theft.

Miss Johnson said: “It’s in the early hours, it’s in the bin area, he’s not up to anything in particular – I suspect he’s finding somewhere to bed down. He hasn’t gone in the bins, he’s gone in the bin area.

“There were some items in a bag in the bin area. He’s looking in them and found a pack of sandwiches. They were still in date. He thinks ‘that’s a waste – I’m going to take them and eat them’.”

Giving Riley an absolute discharge – meaning that no conviction is registered, chairman of the bench Paul Kidd told him: “Hopefully you will be able to get yourself sorted and back on your feet.”