discharge in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Anthony Bernard Bartley, 46, of 12 Upland Lane, pleaded guilty to shoplifting on August 28.

Crown counsel Juan Wolfe said that at about 11 a.m. Bartley entered the Shopping Centre Grocery store on Victoria Street, Hamilton, where he was spotted stuffing four packages of codfish in his shirt.

He then left the store without paying.

Management followed him and got him to return to the store, where he was searched. The codfish was recovered and Police were called. Bartley was arrested and taken to Hamilton Police Station and charged with the offence.

When Mr. King asked Bartley how he should be punished, Bartley replied: "Oh I can't tell you what punishment to give, I just regret what I did, it was quite stupid.

"Now my record is going to read the codfish thief.'' Bartley told Mr. King he was not physically able to work because of medical reasons.