By Saul Cooke-Black

A SHOP assistant tackled a shoplifter who had tried to steal wine and beer on three occasions on the same evening.

Police were called at 8.20pm on Saturday to the incident at the Co-op store in Slad Road, Stroud.

After the incident, Manfred Ruiz took this photo of the shop assistant which has already been shared more than 100 times on the Not Unusual for Stroud Facebook page.

A police spokesman said: "A 15-year-old youth had twice entered the supermarket that evening picking up some wine and beer.

"He then left the store without making any attempt to pay for the items on both occasions. 

"On the third occasion the youth entered store, he again attempted to walk out with some alcohol but was apprehended by a store employee.

"The police were called and the youth was asked to return to Stroud Police station the following day. 

"The youth returned to the police station as requested on Sunday, October 18 with his mother.

"The youth was of previously good character so, at the Sergeant's discretion, he was issued with a Restorative Justice Level 1 order."

He paid for the goods he stole and has been banned from the store. 

Earlier this year the same shop assistant, Adrian Weekes, came to the rescue of a disabled man who was attacked by two teenagers outside the Co-op.