A HAWICK couple walked out of the Tesco store in Galashiels with £121 worth of items for a barbecue without paying for them, Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.

Shaun Trott, 51, and 48-year-old Tracey Groat of Trinity Street, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened at the superstore around midday on June 30.

Depute fiscal Fiona Hamilton said: "Members of staff at the locus were alerted at both accused entering the store as they were recognised from a previous occasion.

"They watched them go into the clothing area pushing a trolley in which there were shopping bags.

"They waited for them to leave and they did not pay for any goods as they went past the check-outs.

"A security guard approached them and said that he thought they had property belonging to Tesco which Trott replied 'yes'.

"The police were contacted at this stage.

"The bags contained meat products and sweets to the value of £121. There was full recovery."

The court was told they had been a couple for 20 years and that Trott was Groat's carer.

Groat's father had just passed away prior to the offence and the pair were still in a state of grievance.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said: "They had been in Galashiels at a friend's house and they were helping a friend by going to the shops to get items for a barbecue.

"They did have the means to pay for it but for unknown reasons decided not to pay.

"They had pled not guilty but after seeing the CCTV footage they obviously realised they had decided not to pay.

"Neither of them, have any outstanding matters to come before the court."

Sheriff Kevin Duffy noted that this was the couple's third offence in a relatively short time.

He commented: "It is a bit surprising that mature adults are getting into trouble at this stage."

Trott and Groat were each fined £180 and told to pay at the rate of £10 per fortnight.