This SNP politician has been charged by police after being accused of stealing crockery from Asda

An SNP candidate and local councillor is facing allegations that he stole crockery from ASDA.

Steven Carleschi, 30, has been charged with shoplifting and is accused of attempting to steal from the same store that he apparently holds his weekly surgeries in.

Carleschi, who was elected to represent the Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst ward in Falkirk back in 2012, was chosen to stand in this year's Scottish Parliament elections.

Police were called on Thursday to an ASDA in Stenhousemuir after reports the father-of-two had attempted to take the crockery.

A police spokeswoman for the region told i100:

Police in Forth Valley were called to Hallam Road, Stenhousemuir, at around 9pm on Thursday 7 January following a report of an attempted theft. A 30-year-old man was charged and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

An ASDA spokeswoman added:

We can confirm there was an incident in our store on Thursday 7th January and that we are assisting the police with their investigation.

Carleschi was the 12th candidate on the SNP's list for the forthcoming vote for MSPs at Holyrood.

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

The SNP told the Daily Record that Carleschi has "stepped aside from all SNP positions until the matter is resolved".

i100 has contacted the SNP and Steven Carleschi for further comment.