Man fined £183,000 for pretending meat was fruit at supermarket self-service checkout

Businessman admits theft despite earning £21,000 a month

Businessman admitted it was the fourth time in a month he had committed theft (Getty Images)

A man has been fined €208,000 (£183,000) for pretending expensive meat was fruit at a supermarket self-service checkout.

The 58-year-old, who earns €24,000 (£21,000) a month, was convicted for theft by a Munich court after he tried to repackage up to 47 euros-worth of veal liver in a fruit bag in December.

The wealthy businessman admitted it was the fourth time he had committed the offence that month, but gave no motive for the crime, according to local media.

A judge, who described the defendant as having “not inconsiderable criminal energy”, cited his monthly income and criminal history for theft and tax evasion as reasons for the record-breaking fine.

Munich court spokesman Klaus-Peter Juengst said the defendant did not appeal the verdict, which was issued last month.

The unidentified man was released from jail having been put behind bars following his arrest.

In 2015, supermarket chain Morrisons replaced self-service machines with 1,000 manned tills after 96% of customers surveyed said they preferred staffed checkouts.