A HUNGRY Leytonstone couple admitted stealing £50 worth of food and drink from Tesco.

Kevin Frederick and Gokiz Ramadan, both of Grove Green Road, Leytonstone, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft at Waltham Forest Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The court heard that Frederick, 37, and 35-year-old Ramadan, were seen putting items into a wire basket in the Gainsborough Road branch of Tesco on Saturday February 23. Ramadan put one of the items through the checkout at the till and the rest of the goods were put into a bag and not paid for.

The couple were not represented and Frederick said in mitigation that they took the food because were hungry.

Frederick said he had not worked for weeks but was due to start a new job later this week. He told the court both he and Ramadan apologised for the theft and they were willing to pay for the items stolen.

Frederick and Ramadan were fined £60 each, and ordered to pay £40 costs each.