AN Eden Valley factory worker had an illegally-held knife in his bag after being caught shoplifting at a B&M Bargains store.

Twenty-year-old Florin-andrei Pirlea was spotted with another male inside the English Street outlet in Carlisle at around 4.10pm on June 4.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, told the city’s magistrates’ court: “The men selected a Bluetooth speaker and an electric drill.

"A security guard working at the time confirmed no payment had been made for the items.

“He left the store to follow both men. They were detained outside and the stolen property recovered.”

Pirlea was charged with stealing the £35 drill, which was capable of being resold.

“The defendant was arrested and searched,” said Mrs Ward. “Officers found in the front pocket of a bag he was carrying a wood and gold handled lock knife with a two-inch blade.

“The defendant was interviewed and made full admissions. He said he was sorry and that it had been an impulsive act. He uses the knife for his lunch at work and forgot it was in his bag.”

Pirlea, of Alexandra Road, Penrith, admitted theft and illegal blade possession in public. He had no previous convictions.

Tariq Khawam, defending, said Pirlea “would like to apologise profusely for his actions”. He worked at the Frank Bird poultry factory near Penrith, and used the knife to cut salami and other food for his lunch.

He had been working the following day.

“I would submit to you his is a case of ignorance rather than malevolence,” Mr Khawam said in his address to magistrates.

“I specifically asked him if he knew it was an offence to possess this item and he said he didn’t,” added the lawyer. “That is not an excuse but it is something you could take into account.

“The problem is that the sentencing guidance is that this is a custodial sentence. When I explained that to the defendant he was shocked and, I think, slightly traumatised by that advice.”

Concluding that Pirlea was remorseful, magistrates suspended a two-month prison sentence for six months, and ordered him to pay £213 costs and surcharge.

The knife must be forfeited.

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