This case stands in stark contrast against recent rulings in the UK. In a similar case last year, Louisa Sewell was fined £328.75 for stealing a four-pack of Mars bars from her local convenience store in Kidderminster.

At the magistrates hearing, Sewell's solicitor explained that her client had recently had her benefits sanctioned. As a result she had no money and had not eaten for days. She stole because she was hungry and desperate, the solicitor said. The chair of the magistrates responded by saying: "We do not readily accept you go into a shop to steal just for being hungry."

These two rulings reveal conflicting views on whether stealing to provide yourself with nourishment can ever be justified. And this issue matters now more than ever, in light of evidence that a growing number of people are being forced to shoplift for basic essentials, both in the UK and across Europe.

Less crime, more theft
Overall levels of crime have steadily declined in Britain in recent years, but shoplifting has been rising. There were 333,671 shoplifting offences recorded across England and Wales in 2015, a 19% increase over the last ten years.

Over the same period - and particularly since 2010 - successive governments have made it more difficult to claim benefits, and toughened up sanctions for those who don't comply. Now, claimants can be sanctioned for up to three years if they fail to comply with certain demands, such as applying for particular jobs, attending appointments with job centre advisers and participating in programmes designed to help them transition from "welfare" into "work". Continue reading

• Ruth Patrick is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Liverpool.

As a result of an investigation by the church's general auditor it is alleged that approximately $342,000 in church funds have been misappropriated.

One pastor from Eu'a, one from Vava'u and the others from Nuku'alofa remain with their parishes but on suspended duties. None of the ministers has accepted the allegations.

The Church's Director, Reverend Dr Mohenoa Puloka, told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program that as a result, none of its ministers will now be allowed to be involved in dealing with church money, but he agrees the damage has already been done.

"It will cause a lot of people to question the fitness and reliability of the clergy," he said.

"It is bad publicity for the church."

Puloka says despite "firm evidence" of their actions, the ministers involved say the discrepancy resulted from a computing error.

He says with at least one case dating back to 2005, it is so disappointing.

"Part of my reason for doing this now, is that part of it is that it's my moral responsibility. Also to acknowledge the fact that we have to respect the people. It's their money that were entrusted to these clergy and they were not doing a good job on that so we have to do that. Over all our years this is a big shakeup in the church."

Source

• Radio Australia Pacific Beat
• Radio New Zealand International
• Image: Moralcompass.blog.com