A fraudster who used fake barcodes to buy two TVs for just 40p has escaped jail.
Mathew Ferguson and Liam Gorrie took two TVs worth a total of £467 to the checkouts at the Tesco Extra store in Dundee’s South Road.
But instead of scanning the barcodes and paying full price, they entered an incorrect barcode that “magically” reduced the price to just a fraction of the true cost.
The pair then put just 40pence into the machine and made off with the flat-screen TVs.
They were caught when Tesco workers realised what had happened and CCTV was reviewed showing the crime being committed.
Ferguson, 21, of North Lindsay Street, Dundee, and Gorrie, 22, of Strathairlie Avenue, Arbroath, pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud.
Gorrie also admitted obtaining a £329 TV by the same method on a separate occasion, this time paying just 20 pence.
A third accused, Kyle Christie, 23, of Adamson Court, Dundee, had his not guilty pleas to the charge accepted by the Crown.
Jim Caird, defending Ferguson, said: “He has no previous convictions. He is a single man who lives with his mother and is employed as a canvasser.
“He was given this numerical code to type in that magically produces a lower price for the particular item. He very much regrets it now.”
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael deferred sentence on Ferguson for four months for him to be of good behaviour and to save money to pay compensation.
Solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin, defending Gorrie, added: “He has not appeared today and I have no explanation for his non-attendance.”
Sheriff Carmichael issued a warrant for Gorrie’s arrest.
