Business
Indian-origin millionaire caught shoplifting in Britain
London, April 22
An Indian-origin millionaire
director of a company in Britain was caught in a supermarket hiding in
his bag meat and wine worth 200 pounds (about $300), and has been
awarded by a court 12 months' community service for shoplifting, media
reported on Wednesday.
Ronan Ghosh, 39, was shopping at the Tesco
outlet in Birmingham, West Midlands, on February 21 and he only paid
for the items in his trolley but did not pay for the items he kept in
his bag, a court heard.
The 16 million-pound-a-year turnover
global recycling firm's boss was spotted on the store's security cameras
stowing away the expensive items. He was detained by a guard and police
were called, the Daily Mail reported.
Ghosh, who lives in a luxury 550,000-pound house in leafy Solihull, pleaded guilty to theft at the Birmingham Crown Court.
He
claimed in the court that he had visited the store after an argument
with his girlfriend and he had not intended to steal the goods.
Charnjit
Jutla, the defence lawyer, told the court that Ghosh is the director of
RG Recycling company that supplies high-value machinery for the
recycling industry.
"It is a global business. It has a yearly
turnover of 16 million pounds," Jutla was quoted as saying. "It beggars
belief as to why he finds himself in this court. He accepts full
responsibility for what he has done."
Jutla said Ghosh was "disappointed with himself and shocked and embarrassed".
The
defence lawyer told the court that on the day in question, Ghosh's
father told him that his mother had been diagnosed with skin cancer and
that worried him a lot.
Jutla said there was also a will being discussed within the family which had put considerable strain on Ghosh.
Judge
Murray Creed sentenced the businessman to a 12-month community service.
He was also ordered to complete 80 hours' unpaid work and pay 575
pounds in costs.