A SHOPLIFTER found in possession of a lock knife used to cut up sausages and apples could be facing a jail sentence, a judge warned at Wisbech courthouse.

Zydrunas Uscinas, 46, admitted stealing a �3.99 bottle of wine from the Co-op store in Wisbech Horsefair, and possessing the knife with a three-inch blade on September 27.

“Operators from Fenland CCTV reported that a man had been detained at the Coop, and police were told that the defendant had been seen concealing a bottle of wine,” explained prosecutor Andrea Fawcett.

“A customer had reported this to security staff, who had detained the defendant in the car park.”

When searched, Uscinas, of Nene Quay, Wisbech, had a lock knife in the inner pocket of his jacket; he told police he used the knife to cut up sausages and apples.

Mitigating, Roger Glazebrook said Uscinas stole the wine because he fancied a drink, and he had carried the knife for two years when he lived in Germany.

After hearing this was Uscinas’ third shop lifting offence, Deputy District Judge Jones remanded him in custody for seven days, and said a pre-sentence report would consider all options, including jail.