Hereford Waitrose and B&Q thief ordered to pay compensation

An unemployed man who stole beer from Waitrose and a £145 tool from B&Q because he couldn't afford to eat has been sentenced in court.

Lukasz Kujawa, 43, pleaded guilty to the two thefts when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court on Wednesday (September 16).

Prosecutor Elizabeth Blacklock said the two thefts were low-level, and there was nothing sophisticated about them - he just walked into the shops and took the items without paying.

It was on June 17 when Kujawa stole two packs of beer worth £13 from Waitrose in the Old Market Shopping Centre, before stealing the £145 electric multi-tool from B&Q in Holmer Road on June 27.

She said he had one previous conviction from November 2025, but it was not related to theft, and the beer and tool were never recovered.

Currently serving a community order, Kujawa, representing himself via an interpreter, said he had just one day left to complete of 100 hours unpaid work from his previous sentence.

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He said he stole because he needed money for food, as he was not working and was not receiving benefits.

Kujawa, of Hever Road in Lower Bullingham, Hereford, said he was living with a friend who was helping him, including job applications.

Magistrates said they took his circumstances into account as they told him to pay £13 compensation to Waitrose and £145 to B&Q.

They did not make him pay costs or a victim surcharge and would accept payments of £5 a week, starting in 56 days so he had time to find a job.