A former employee of the Hi-Lo Food Store, who stole items valued over $2,000, pleaded guilty to simple larceny in court yesterday.

Appearing in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court is Calvin Brown from St Catherine.

He told the court that he took the items from his employer's property. Resident Magistrate Simone Maddix told the accused his action was illegal. He was then fined $10,000 or 30 days' hard labour.

The court heard that on August 8, the accused had completed work and was on his way from the Spanish Town store.

He was stopped and checked by security personnel during which two bottles of Appleton VX, four Nescafé and three bottles of Apple Vodka valued at $2,500 were found.

He was subsequently arrested and charged with simple larceny.