I SEE Sainsbury’s sale of food was down last year and I’m pleased about that.

I have not entered one of their shops or purchased any of their goods since their Darlington branch prosecuted two destitute men for stealing a sandwich each.

I see that the same shop this week (Echo, May 20) nailed another felon this week when they prosecuted a starving man for stealing a sandwich and a pasta pot, goods worth £5 in value.

After the full force of the law was visited upon this criminal, with all due expenses, the court ordered the defendant to pay Sainsbury’s £5 compensation.

This may be the letter of the law but it stinks to high heaven.

Prosecutions should be reserved for genuine acts of shoplifting where the intent is to steal for profit.

The highest court in Italy recently found this week that the theft of a sausage and a piece of cheese by a homeless man did not constitute a crime because he was in desperate need of nourishment.

Sainsbury’s interpretation of shoplifting, in cases like this, is out of all proportion and lacking in compassion.

VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland