Probation for Man in 20s Who Kept Stealing Instant Noodles Despite Police Offering Free Food

A court has handed down a suspended prison sentence to a man in his 20s who repeatedly committed thefts, noting it is his final chance despite having previously received kindness from a police officer.

Judge Lee Byung-ho of Criminal Division 7 at the Changwon District Court sentenced the man in his 20s, identified as A, to eight months in prison suspended for two years and ordered him to perform 120 hours of community service on theft charges.

A was put on trial for stealing a total of 246,900 won worth of goods, including cup noodles and snacks, across 28 separate occasions between May and August of this year at multiple unmanned convenience stores in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, and other locations.

Investigations revealed that A had previously avoided an arrest warrant for committing the same crime. Despite a police officer offering him a public job and telling him he could have free cup noodles if he was ever hungry and struggling, A continued to commit thefts.

The court stated, "He prepared for the civil service exam for a considerable period but failed to achieve his goal, and during that process, his relationship with his parents was cut off, leaving him in difficult financial circumstances." The court judged that "this crime falls under a livelihood-type offense, and the individual damage amounts are not very large."

The court explained the reasoning behind the sentencing by adding, "Considering all circumstances, giving the young A a chance to function as a proper member of society this one time is deemed to be a form of leniency and grace permitted by the law."

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Kim Na-on | Graphics by Lee Jung-joo | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.