A ROMANIAN shoplifter who stole 17 boxes of Gaviscon and 34 boxes of Poligrip Fixodent told police he was going to send them to his parents because the products were expensive in his home country.

Blackburn magistrates heard Adrian Mihai was in the town looking for work but took the opportunity to steal from Morrisons.

Mihai, 39, of Claude Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to shoplifting. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Mihai had no previous convictions in this country but three days earlier he had been given a caution by North Wales police on condition he write a letter to Tesco apologising for stealing from them.

She said on this occasion Mihai had been remanded in custody because he told police he worked in Germany and would not turn up at court if he was released.

Richard Prew, defending, said his client had worked in Germany but came to the UK eight days earlier with the prospect of work.

“He has confirmed that he was going to send the items home to his parents because they are very expensive in Romania,” said Mr Prew.