A 48-year-old Hamilton Parish man who admitted stealing two racks of lamb had his plea changed to not guilty by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner.Sherman Armstrong admitted stealing two packages of lamb shanks from The MarketPlace in Shelley Bay on April 24, but he denied assaulting the store manager.The court heard that the manager suspected Armstrong of stealing the day before, and when he spotted the defendant in the store on the day in question he noticed a large bulge at the bottom of Armstrong’s jacket.Mr Armstrong purchased goods at the cash register, but he did not pay for the lamb. The manager closed off the entrance to the store to see if Armstrong would leave without paying for the lamb. He discovered the two packs of lamb tied around the defendant’s waist.But Mr Warner, on hearing the summary of the offence said: “There is no evidence that he attempted to leave the store.” Crown Counsel Cindy Clarke noted that Armstrong was approached by the store manager “on completion of the purchases”.Mr Warner insisted he did not leave the store which would qualify the theft charge in his view, and changed the defendant’s plea to not guilty on both counts. The case was set down for trial on September 4.Mr Armstrong was released on $2,000 bail with one surety.