An 81-year-old shoplifter who knocked down a member of security staff at Asda while driving away from the supermarket after stealing a packet of chicken fillets, has appeared at Fermanagh Court.

Kevin McAuley, of Scaffog Avenue, Enniskillen, admitted committing the theft, driving carelessly and failing to stop, remain at the scene and report the accident to police on September 19, 2014.

He also admitted that on St. Patrick’s Day this year he drove after consuming excess alcohol.

The retired bus driver was fined £950 and banned from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay Asda £2.83 compensation.

A prosecutor told the court that around 3pm on Friday, September 19, last year, police received a report that a possible shoplifter had driven away from Asda in a Nissan Micra. The officers checked the vehicle registration and discovered that McAuley was the last registered owner.

They found the car parked at his home with damage to the passenger side. They spoke to staff at Asda and were told McAuley had previously been banned from the supermarket for shoplifting.

On this occasion he reversed and knocked down a member of staff. McAuley was arrested and denied the charges.

The prosecutor said that on March 17, this year, police were travelling along the Sligo Road into Enniskillen. As they passed the car park at the front of the Silver Swallow pub a Nissan Micra pulled out in front of them causing the driver of the police vehicle to brake. The police followed the Micra and saw it cross the central white line on to the opposite side of the road. They used their vehicle’s blue flashing lights and siren to signal to the driver of the Micra to stop. There was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor from him, he was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet. A specimen of his breath produced an alcohol reading of 54 - 19 in excess of the legal limit.

District Judge Nigel Broderick told the court McAuley was very forthright with the probation officer who compiled the pre-sentence report.

Defence barrister Heather Philips said isolation and other issues may have resulted in McAuley’s unusual pattern of offending.

“Since March 17, he hasn’t had any alcohol,” she added.

The District Judge said: “He seems to have adopted a very cavalier attitude to goods on sale in Asda. He has two previous fixed penalties for shoplifting.” Miss Philips described the stolen goods as “very low value items”.

The District Judge pointed out that after stealing the items: “He drives off and knocks someone down.” Miss Philips said she thought the injuries to the staff member were “minimal”, adding that McAuley has “no history of violence”.

She told the court: “Two staff members surrounded the car and any contact with them was purely accidental.” The District Judge asked if McAuley has “learnt his lesson”.

“He clearly has,” Miss Philips replied.

The District Judge told McAuley: “You are 81 years of age. You shouldn’t be appearing in court at this stage in your life.” “I agree entirely,” replied McAuley from the court’s public gallery. “There’s no-one regrets it more than I do.” He vowed not to appear back in court again.

The District Judge told him: “I sincerely hope you are a man of your word and you will not be back before the court.”