A Sandys man was given a $200 fine for stealing liquor from a grocery store.

Sean A. Mallory, 40, of Woodlands Road, admitted to stealing a bottle of Famous Grouse Scotch whiskey on Tuesday from Marketplace on Church Street in Hamilton.

Mallory was caught by an employee placing a bottle of whiskey, valued at $27.50, into a black bag. He exited the store without paying for the liquor and was confronted by staff who reported the offence to Police. In Magistrates' Court yesterday, Mallory pleaded guilty to the offence and said: "I had no reason for doing it".

He also told the court that he was working and trying to take care of his family. Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner replied: "If you are working and making good money, why did you go and steal a $27 bottle of liquor?"

Mallory also had seven warrants out for his arrest due to unpaid traffic fines — including fines for driving without a valid driver's licence, speeding and driving without third party insurance — totalling more than $3,000. He was given until August 8 to pay all of his fines.