Statement: Paul Osborne

Pirtek Parramatta Eels CEO Paul Osborne says he is highly embarrassed that a moment of absent-mindedness while shopping at his local supermarket has seen him issued with an infringement notice for shoplifting.

Osborne has made a submission to the police commissioner to have the infringement withdrawn, however, if not successful will contest the matter in court to clear his name.

On May 27 he scanned $49.10 worth of grocery items at an automatic check-out at the Woolworths supermarket in Dural and absent-mindedly walked out without scanning his bank card. He was not advised of the oversight until visited by police at his home more than two weeks later.

Osborne said: