Two opportunistic shoplifters saw their supermarket sweeping efforts fail before they had made a getaway.

Eugen Boteanu, of no fixed address, chanced on a full trolley bearing goods worth £435 while he was in ASDA in Dagenham last Wednesday (5).

The 39-year-old father, who came to England from Romania three months ago, ran out of the supermarket but was stopped quickly by security.

He pleaded guilty to theft at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court yesterday and was given a four-month prison sentenced that was suspended for 12 months.

The other case involved 50-year-old Trevor Coplen, of Bradwell Avenue, Dagenham, who visited Morrisons in Becontree Heath, Dagenham on May 17 and stole five legs of lamb.

After running out of the store entrance staff caught him and detained him.

When he was being escorted back inside there was a struggle and Coplen pretended to fall unconscious.

An ambulance was called and after a check-up showed there wasn’t anything wrong with him, he pleaded guilty to theft.

At Barkingside Magistrates’ Court yesterday he was said to suffer from drink and drug problems and he was ordered to return to the same court on June 27 when he will be sentenced.