A shoplifter who stole a fishing rod from a supermarket has been ordered to pay back the store.

Tio Weeks was caught red-handed after walking out of MarketPlace in Hamilton without paying for the $149 rod on July 26 at around 11am.

The 39-year-old admitted theft, apologised for his “foolish actions” actions and told Magistrates’ Court he was not working at the time. “I am currently involved in some pretty uplifting programmes and I am just asking for the chance to get on with my life,” he said.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ordered Weeks to pay MarketPlace back $149 and fined him a further $500.

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