(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-10-11 09:46

A police sergeant caught shoplifting 11 products worth HK$1,000 ($130) blamed the transgression on stress induced by his divorce.

The 46-year-old, surnamed Cheng, was caught out at a home accessory store in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, in June. Testifying at a Tsuen Wan court on Monday a security guard said Cheng paced around the shop and put products, including a phone, a shaver and CD-ROMs into his bag. After stepping outside to answer a cellphone call, Cheng walked away without paying. When the security guard tried to stop him, Cheng ran until he was intercepted at a subway station.

In his defense Cheng blamed his divorce and said that he had not realized what he had done, after drinking and taking medication. He said the call was from his wife and he claimed to have panicked when the security guard chased him.

(Oriental Daily)