£6,000 bill over theft of drink

Taxpayers had to fork out around £6,000 to bring a teenager to court for burglary after he helped himself to a fizzy drink worth £1.09 from a fast food restaurant.

The cheeky 16-year-old was ordered to pay £60 costs for helping himself to a Coca Cola drink from KFC in Walsall Wood while a worker's back was turned.

The youth denied a charge of burglary and was due to face a day-long trial, but the offence was downgraded to theft at the start of yesterday's hearing, to which he pleaded guilty.

Mr Nigel Ford, defending, said preparing the case against the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had cost up to £6,000 and branded it a "complete waste of money."This included police time, lawyers' fees and bringing the matter before court five times ahead of sentencing.

Mrs Hilary Peters, prosecuting, said the teenager was among a group of "disruptive" youths who entered the restaurant off Lichfield Road on February 20.

She added a worker at the front counter felt intimidated and when her back was turned he leaned over and poured pop into his container.

Mr Ford said witnesses described the offence as a "cheeky act" and it would have made more sense for the youth to be warned.

Mr Ford told Walsall Magistrates Court: "He should not have leaned over the counter and helped himself to a splash of Coca Cola but it has probably cost between £5,000 to £6,000 for a £1.09 drink. The expense is enormous and this is not an issue that should be here at court.

"There are far more important matters to be spending money on."

The teenager was also given a 12-month conditional discharge.

By Craig Hughes