Forty-three-year-old Martin Barber of Collingwood, pleaded guilty Jan. 20 in the Ontario Court of Justice, Collingwood, to a charge of shoplifting from the local A&P store. The accused received 12 months on probation as a suspended sentence, with $77.75 in restitution for the recovered goods.

Prosecutor Imar Abokor said that on Sept. 25, 2008, a local officer driving on High Street in Collingwood became alerted to Barber's activity by a witness. The defendant was a rear passenger in the vehicle ahead of the cruiser, "wearing a hooded sweatshirt which appeared to be bulging," said the Crown. While handcuffing the accused police found two steaks tucked into his pants, some frozen shrimp, and a large piece of cheese.

The presiding judge ordered Barber to stay out of the A&P and to not wear any hooded sweatshirts.

"You can make do with toques and scarves instead," he