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AN SNP candidate for this year’s Scottish Parliament elections has been charged with shoplifting.

Steven Carleschi, 30, has been accused of attempting to steal crockery from his local Asda.

Police were called to the supermarket’s Stenhousemuir branch after reports the dad of two tried to make off with items.

A police spokesman said: “Officers were called to Hallam Road, Stenhousemuir, at around 9pm on Thursday, January 7, following a report of an attempted theft.

“A 30-year-old man was charged and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

Carleschi is an SNP councillor in Falkirk representing Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst. He is 12th on the party’s list for Central Scotland at the Holyrood vote.

An SNP spokesman last night said: “Councillor Carleschi has stepped aside from all SNP positions until the matter is resolved.”

Carleschi is friends on Facebook with several senior party members including Michael Mathison, Humza Yousaf and Angus MacNeil. He is also friends with Michelle Thomson, the former SNP MP being probed by police over property deals.

In September, he tweeted: “I will be a dedicated, energetic and enthusiastic candidate who will fight the issues that matter in Holyrood.”

Carleschi is a founding member of an anti-fracking pressure group created by the SNP’s grassroots.