Shoplifting is Now Legal

A shopkeeper has been fined £250 and been given a criminal record for fighting back against shoplifters who tried to beat him up.

The thieves kicked shopkeeper, Jacob Smyth, from Cornwall, in the groin and then made off with several cans of spray paint.

Police found the youths guilty of shoplifting and fined them £80 each with no ensuing criminal record.

Had Smyth not pleaded guilty he would have faced six months in jail.

Magistrate, Angy Haslam, conceded Jacob had acted in self-defence but said his reaction was

“aggravated by the fact you kicked the victim on the ground”.

Welcome to the UK - friend of the criminal class.