A SHOPPER accused of swindling thousands of pounds from a cash and carry store told a court yesterday: "I haven't messed with any barcodes."
John Morris is accused of stealing five television sets - each costing up to £2,000 - from Makro by replacing their barcodes with those from cheaper goods.
Some he got for as little as £24. Mr Morris said till workers at the Washington store simply charged him the wrong price and he repeatedly went back to take advantage of their mistake.
He told Newcastle Crown Court: "They weren't stolen, I paid for them. I didn't think I was doing anything wrong. I haven't messed with any barcodes ."
Mr Morris told jurors he sold on at least one TV set for £100 at a car boot sale.
Mr Morris, of Castlereagh Street, Sunderland, denies five charges of stealing television sets between May 31 and July 20 this year.
The trial continues.
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