A MAN has been fined for swearing and threatening supermarket staff after he was accused of shoplifting.

David Higgs, 41, of Marks Court, Southend, was doing his shopping at Sainsbury’s in West Street, Rochford, at 5.30pm on Wednesday, June 5, when a member of the public told staff he had stolen a bag of crisps.

When he was challenged, he became agitated and said he hadn’t done anything wrong.

Yesterday at Southend Magistrates’ Court, Lesley Chipps, prosecuting, said: “It was a rant of swear words.”

Lee Wilcockson, defending, said the accusation of theft was false and Higgs had become upset.

He said: “He had been accused of this in front of a number of customers in the store. He asked for the police to be called himself.”

Higgs pleaded guilty yesterday to using threatening words and behaviour. He was ordered to paya£233 fine, £85 costs and a £23 victim surcharge.