Harrods worker who stole £15,000 of designer handbags escapes jail by blaming cost of living crisis

A HARRODS worker who stole more than £15,000 worth of designer goods avoided jail — by blaming the cost of living.

Marco Taffoni, 29, swiped at least six Bottega Veneta handbags while working as a stockroom controller at the London department store.

A court heard he was struggling as his rent had gone up and he was supporting a jobless pal — so Judge Sarah Paneth handed down a suspended jail term.

She told Taffoni at Isleworth crown court: “London is a very expensive place and you could not make ends meet.