A father from Dagenham who stole a trolley-load of alcohol, confectionary and vegetables worth £500 has avoided a jail sentence.

Marius Bartoc, 31, of Sterry Road, pleaded guilty to the theft that took place on May 28 at a Tesco in Goodmayes.

Barkingside Magistrates Court heard last Thursday, how Bartoc made the move to England from Romania only a few months ago after being promised employment once he arrived.

He had to leave his wife and two children in his home country, magistrates were told.

However, on arriving here the job offer turned out not to exist at ll and he had to find manual labour work to get by.

His defence lawyer told how a “moment of desperation” made the defendant, who does not have any previous convictions, commit the theft at the supermarket, in High Road.

Bartoc was discharged unconditionally for 12 months for the offence.