A newspaper editor has been cautioned by police and banned from a supermarket for life, following accusations of shoplifting.

Fraserburgh Herald editor Alex Shand was interviewed by police after walking out of a Tesco store in the town without paying for goods.

He had been using a self-service checkout, but staff were alerted that four cans of lager had been scanned but not paid for.

The editor will not be charged with any offence, but says he has been told by supermarket bosses that he is banned from the Broch branch of Tesco for life.

Alex told HoldtheFrontPage he planned to appeal against the lifetime ban, and said the incident was “a storm in a teacup”.

He said: “All that happened was that my mind did a blank and I walked out the door.

“My wife had given me £5 but I couldn’t find it. I went back and paid but because the till receipt had already come up void they obviously assumed it hadn’t been paid.”

He added: “I’ve drafted a letter to the Tesco manager and area manager. I’ve spoken informally to a few legal people including my own solicitor and they all say a lifetime ban is ridiculous.

“Hopefully common sense will prevail. It is the first time in my life that this has ever happened and it was a momentary lapse.” Do you have a story about the regional press?
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