A man in the UK has been convicted of a tampering crime after he filmed himself licking his fingers and wiping them on some napkins in Lidl.
The incident happened during the first proper lockdown in the UK, and was uploaded to snapchat by the man.
He was out shopping with his Grandparents when he pulled the “prank”, and the story was viewed by 60 people, one of whom reported him to the police.
Benjamin Best, the 20 year old in question, was then arrested on suspicion of contaminating or interfering with goods with intent.
Speaking during a court hearing, Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, said he uploaded the video on April 3rd, a week or so after the strictest measures were put in place.
He said: “He was wearing a mask and gloves and licked two fingers in his mouth and then preceded to swipe those fingers across paper napkins on the shelf.
“He filmed himself doing it. He uploaded the small recording to Snapchat and it was seen by 60 people. It came to the attention of the police and the recording was seized.
“He thought it was a joke. He thought his friends would find it funny. But it wasn’t. Some people who saw it reported it to the police.”
BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833)
Pic: DorsetPolice/BNPS
Benjamin Best
His defence solicitor said that the incident happened in a spur of the moment, and that Ben thought it would be funny.
Me Brazier, mitigating, added: “He has had quite a lot of time to reflect upon it. He has been helping out at home, looking for work and worked at a carpet fitting company, something that he tried out and liked.”
Best has since pleaded guilty to the charge against him and was given an 18 month community order and made to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay a £90 victim surcharge and costs of £85.
