A cargo truck driver in his 40s, who was found guilty of stealing snacks worth 1,000 won, received a fine despite appealing for a formal trial.

The Jeonju District Court's Criminal Division 6 (Judge Kim Hyun-ji) announced on the 4th that it sentenced A (41), who was charged with theft without detention, to a fine of 50,000 won. A was accused of stealing and eating items worth 1,000 won, including a 400 won Choco Pie and 600 won snacks from a refrigerator in the office of a logistics company in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do, around 4:06 a.m. on January 18, 2024.

Initially, A received a summary order but challenged it, claiming innocence and requesting a formal trial.

In court, A claimed, "I was told by other truck drivers to take snacks from the refrigerator, and I took some. There was no intention to commit theft."

However, the court ruled that A had the intent to steal.

The court explained, "The incident occurred in an office space that is separate from the waiting area for truck drivers. The office space is not accessible to truck drivers," and added, "The refrigerator from which the defendant took the snacks was located at the furthest end of the office space, an area that truck drivers typically do not access."

Furthermore, the court noted, "Witness B from the office stated that snacks for truck drivers are either handed out by office staff or taken with permission, from both the investigative agency to the courtroom," and "The company's security personnel were unaware that there was a refrigerator in the office and have never taken snacks from it."

The court elaborated, "The defendant also testified that he was told by truck drivers, not office staff, to take snacks from the refrigerator," explaining, "Given the defendant's occupation and work experience, it is clear that he would have known he did not have the right to dispose of items in the refrigerator."

While the court acknowledged that "the defendant admitting the facts of the crime and the amount of the damage being minor is a favorable condition," it also considered factors such as the defendant's previous criminal record for similar offenses, the fact that he had not been forgiven by the victim, and the circumstances surrounding the motivation, means, results, and aftermath of the crime. The court concluded that "the fine stated in the summary order is not excessive" and imposed a fine of 50,000 won.

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