Man stole air fryers after being told he could lose some weight

A banned driver who borrowed his best friend’s car to steal two air fryers has been given a suspended sentence.

Tommy Lines, of Weston Hills, walked out of The Original Factory Shop with the kitchen appliances after the friend told him he could benefit from losing some weight.

Lines – a serial shoplifter – was spotted by staff and the goods, worth £298, were handed back with the promise that no further action would be taken.

However, Boston Magistrates’ Court was told on Wednesday that another staff member called police and Lines was stopped while driving soon afterwards.

The 45-year-old, of Broadgate and formerly of Cattle Dyke in Gorefield, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, having no insurance and theft – all offences being on July 8.

A charge of stealing eight bottles of spirits from Tesco in Spalding on June 29 was withdrawn.

Andrew Cogan said in mitigation that Lines had stolen the air fryers after running out of cash.

“He’d been out in Skegness and spent a large amount of money,” added the solicitor.

“His best friend had expressed a view that perhaps he needed to lose a bit of weight. So he decided that instead of eating greasy chips he was going to get some air fryers.

“He happened to see them in a shop in Mablethorpe. He walked out with one and then walked out with another one.”

The court heard that Lines was sent to prison last September and returned this year when he breached his post-sentence supervision.

And a suspended sentence order was imposed on July 14. However, the latest offences pre-dated that.

Lines was told by the bench that his “saving grace” was that his latest offences were not dealt with at the hearing earlier this month.

He was given 11 months’ custody, suspended for two years and banned from driving for three years.

An order was made for £154 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Lines told the court that he was due before King’s Lynn Magistrates’ Court in August for further shoplifting.