Policeman reports brother for stealing 3 cans of lager from fridge

A 15-year-old was shopped to the police by his big-brother after he discovered he had swiped three cans of lager from the family fridge. After a night in the cells, the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges on February 11. It was the teen's half-brother, who is also a policeman, who brought the theft charge against him.

Magistrates heard from the prosecution how the youngster went in to the Portishead home, where he lives under the care of his half-brother, at 1pm on February 6 and stole the cans, which cost £4. He shared the stolen booze with a friend and said he knew he would not be able to replace them as he had no money. Speaking from the dock the youth said: "I got into the house expecting no one to be there and I took the beers and left."



When his half-brother arrived home to discover the theft he said he knew it was him as he is the only other person who has access to the house. On February 10 police arrested the teen, whose mother does not live in England and father is unaccounted for. After a night in the cells he appeared glum and sat in the dock with his head in his hands as the details were read out in court.

The youth, who is now homeless, pleaded guilty and confessed that he was fully aware of what he was doing. He was given a three-month referral order and was due to meet with a social worker later that day. Magistrate Nicky McClure said: "What we are doing today is giving you something that will not give you a criminal record and after your referral hopefully things will sort themselves out."