A STORE assistant who allowed shoppers through the check-out without paying claimed he had been threatened with violence if he did not co-operate.
Andrew Peter Holmes, aged 21, of Wordsworth Avenue, Rock Ferry, admitted six allegations of theft of goods value unknown from Lidl Food Store at Rock Ferry.
Prosecutor Helen Gathercole claimed at Wirral magistrates' court that the thefts took place on a regular basis for six weeks.
In one statement Holmes suggested £3,000 was involved and in another referred to a figure of £7,000.
Holmes claimed he would have been beaten up if he had not co-operated.
Chris Murphy, defending, said he was put in an invidious position. He claimed others should have been arrested over the thefts.
Magistrates told Holmes he was very lucky to escape prison. He had to pay £500 towards compensation and £75 costs and he had to serve 180 hours' community work.
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