A CUMBRIAN man who stole food and clothing from a Carlisle supermarket could give no explanation of why he committed the offence, a court heard.

Carlisle’s magistrates’ court heard that Raph Brook, 46, was caught on CCTV filling a trolley at the city’s Church Street Sainsbury’s store on January 21 and then leaving without paying.

The value of the goods he stole was £172.

He admitted theft.

Amy Labram, prosecuting, said the defendant committed the offence on January 21.

At around 4pm that day, a security guard spotted a woman acting suspiciously. Whe she tried to leave the store, alarms sounded. “She dropped her basket and jumped into Citroen Berlingo car,” said Miss Labram.

The defendant was driving.

When challenged, to told the security guard he was leaving and simply drove off. His crime came to light when staff later reviewed the CCTV footage.

“He was seen gathering items of clothing and food... and then leaving the store without any attempt to pay.”

John Greenwood, for the defendant, of High Street, Brough, Kirkby Stephen, said that in September a Carlisle Crown Court judge had imposed a suspended jail term on Brook after he was convicted of being a rogue trader in the south of the county.

“He can’t give any explanation of why he did it,” said the lawyer of the theft.

Brook was fined £100, with £85 costs, and told to pay £172 compensation.