A SHOPLIFTER was found in possession of crack cocaine after he was caught stealing food from Iceland.

Dean Chrome was arrested by police officers on January 15 at 10.50am after he was caught stealing £62 worth of food from Iceland, in Basingstoke.

The 40-year-old, of no fixed abode, was also found with two wraps of the Class A drug crack cocaine, with a street value of around £40. He spent the night in police custody before appearing before Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court.

Kate Prince, prosecuting, said: “He went into Iceland with a bag and trolley. He put items of food in the trolley and left the store making no attempt to pay.”

Chrome pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs and theft.

The court heard that Chrome, who has 46 previous convictions, stole the food because he was starving, after being released from prison for a different matter on January 6. He had managed to secure a room at May Place, at Top of The Town, and was due to stay there that night.

Magistrate Doctor Christopher Pankhurst fined Chrome £110 and imposed a £15 victim surcharge. But when Chrome said he had no means to pay the fine, Dr Pankhurst said he would accept the 24 hours he had spent in a police cell as a punishment in lieu.