Imprisoned for ‘stupid’ liquor theft
Photo: Castanet staff
A Kamloops man who pointed a flashlight at a security guard after stealing a bottle of vodka from a Sahari liquor store – an incident described by the court as “ridiculous” – was ordered to spend three months in prison.
Justin Worthington pleaded guilty to theft of less than $5,000 in Kamloops District Court on Thursday.
The court heard the 43-year-old man went to a government liquor store on Summit Drive on October 7 and put a bottle of Gray Goose in his duffel bag. Security guards watched the theft take place and were out when Waddington left the store without paying.
“He tried to get the bottle back,” prosecutor Evan Goulet said in court. “Mr. Worthington didn’t want it back.”
Goulet said Worthington ran and guards chased him. Worthington then “waving” his flashlight and stepping toward the guards. Both men then fled.
Police say Worthington was arrested soon after with the help of a police dog.
Goulet said the flashlight is like a folding knife.
District Court Judge Clark Barnett called the theft “absurd” and sentenced Worthington to 90 days in prison followed by a year’s probation.
If Worthington is found to have served his sentence, he will have about six weeks left in his sentence.