A man has admitted being part of a shoplifting gang that stole hundreds of bars of Toblerone. 

John McDonnell, 41, was caught in possession of boxes full of chocolate bars worth more than £200 when he was arrested.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told he had been with two others when they targeted the One Stop Shop mini-market on Prince of Wales Road in Norwich on September 19.

Paul Brown, prosecuting, said the gang were later identified from CCTV footage that showed them brazenly shoplifting Toblerone boxes.  

“It was not very difficult to identify those responsible,” he added. 

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McDonnell, of Bishopbridge House in Norwich, also admitted stealing three bottles of prosecco worth £61 from a BP garage on the same day. 

Natasha Baker, mitigating, said he had mainly been the look out for the gang but admits he had been in possession of the chocolate.  

Magistrates ordered that he pay £67 compensation to One Stop Stores and £30 to BP but decided against further punishment after hearing he is now engaging with support services to address alcohol issues.