ASHTON Kitson was probably hungry and it was a crime of necessity when he jumped the counter of a food store to steal trays of slice.
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The shop was closed, but his theft was captured on closed circuit footage.
Solicitor Kate Bleasel explained in Albury Local Court how Kitson, 20, does not receive any Centrelink benefits and was in a dire financial state.
Ms Bleasel said Kitson was unable to receive a benefit because he does not have a birth certificate.
She indicated Kitson had a difficult life and upbringing.
He is the second person in recent weeks to appear before magistrate Tony Murray citing an inability to get government support.
Kitson, of Lawrence Street, Wodonga, pleaded guilty to a theft charge and was fined $400 with a compensation order for $98.
Mr Murray said Kitson was on bail for a dishonesty matter when he stole the trays of slice.
Since the theft, he has received a suspended jail sentence for another matter.
Court documents showed Kitson was well known to police and lived with his girlfriend and her daughter.
Kitson was seen walking into West End Plaza in Albury with his girlfriend and a child in a pram at 5.37pm on February 27.
It was about 5.50pm when he jumped the front counter at Muffin Break and took two trays of slice.
His girlfriend took one tray and put it into a compartment under the pram.
She accompanied Kitson as they walked towards exit doors.
But Kitson ran back to the counter and grabbed the second tray which had been left behind.
He returned with it and put it in the pram.
