A Pembroke man who stole $32 of food from a Hamilton grocery store has been fined $500 for the offence.

Randall Hall, 32, was stopped by staff at the Hamilton MarketPlace on Sunday after a duty manager saw him go to an elevator that led to the below-ground parking lot holding containers of food.

Hall was confronted in the parking area when the elevator opened and admitted that he had been attempting to steal the food, complaining that he was hungry and had no money.

He allegedly told the store staff: “Do you think if I had money I would be trying to steal? Times are hard.”

After pleading guilty to a single count of theft, Hall apologised for his actions, saying he had made a bad decision.

Magistrate Archibald Warner however noted Hall’s previous convictions for theft, saying: “It seems like he believes he can do what he wants to do.”