Not much for the Ambassador’s Reception! Thief who swiped £145 of 1990s favourites Ferrero Rochers is greeted by police after returning the scene of the crime

  • Cory Thomson, 21, stole £145 worth of Ferrero Rocher chocolates on October 16
  • He managed to flee from Wilkos in Newcastle without being caught but returned
  • Thomson was instantly recognized and police called. A court heard
  • Thomson was fined £166 and ordered to pay £72 compensation and £85 costs










A thief who stole £145 worth of Ferrero Rocher chocolates was caught by police after returning to the scene of the crime. 

Cory Thomson, 21, of Byker, Newcastle, made-off with the haul of the gold-wrapped chocolates from hardware store Wilkos in Newcastle City Centre on October 16.

Although he managed to get out of the store, he was quickly recognized by the police and was taken into custody.

After the 1993 kitsch advertisement featuring an ‘ambassador party’, the hazelnut wafer and milk chocolate treat became household names.

It is highly unlikely that this sweet-toothed, thief will be welcomed at the Ambassador’s Reception. 

Cory Thomson (pictured), 21, of Byker, Newcastle, made-off with the haul of the gold-wrapped chocolates from hardware store Wilkos in Newcastle City Centre on October 16

Cory Thomson (pictured), 21 years old, from Byker, Newcastle, took the bag of gold-wrapped chocolates that Wilkos had in Newcastle City Centre on Oct 16th.

He managed to flee Wilkos (pictured) without being detained but after returning to the shop later, he was immediately recognised and the police were called, a court heard

While he managed not to flee Wilkos, (pictured), after returning to Wilkos’s shop, he was instantly recognized by police and a court hearing took place.

Thomson was scheduled to appear in Newcastle Magistrates Court on Wednesday. However, he did not show up as he was working at Gateshead Council.

Thomson instead asked his solicitor for a plea of guilty to shoplifting on his behalf.

James Long, the prosecutor, stated that: “The defendant entered the Ferrero Rocher and stole the goods. He then returned.”

He is only recognized when he comes home that he can be detained.

‘The goods were not recovered, so there would be a claim for £145 compensation. 

“There was another individual involved, but the other person has never be detected.”

Paul Kennedy, the defender, stated that Thomson had made important improvements in his lives and was now subject to a Community Order.

Kennedy stated that he now works for Gateshead Council. He’s doing great in his community order.

The hazelnut, wafer, and milk chocolate treats (pictured) became a household name in 1993 after the kitsch advert featuring the 'ambassador's party'

Following the 1992 kitsch advertisement that featured the “ambassador’s Party”, the hazelnut, wafer and milk chocolat treats became household names (pictured), 

The iconic advert saw an ambassador with 'exquisite taste' summon a footman to serve a pyramid of gold-wrapped chocolates to adoring guests

In the iconic advertisement, an ambassador with “exquisite taste” summoned a footman and served adoring guests a pyramid of chocolates wrapped in gold. 

Thomson was fined £166 and ordered to pay £72 compensation and £85 costs.

The gleaming pyramid of Rochers was revealed in 1982. Its name means ‘nuggets’. 

Ferrero Rocher chocolates gained popularity in the UK in the 1990s due to TV advertisements that were staged at a party held in an official residence of the European ambassador.

In 1993, the first TV commercial featuring kitsch called ‘Ambassador’s Party’ was shown.

This iconic commercial featured an ambassador with “exquisite taste” summoning a footman in order to offer a pyramid full of chocolates wrapped in gold to his guests.

In a beautiful accent, a woman says: “Monsieur! With these Rocher, you really spoil us.”

Following the publication of the advertisement, the famed line by the woman and the expression ‘Eccellente’ quickly gained popularity.

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