Blake Aldridge, formerly part of Team B&Q, accused of stealing plumbing fittings from the B&Q store that sponsored him.
Olympic diver, Blake Aldridge was given an £80 on-the-spot fine after being accused of stealing £4 worth of plumbing fittings from the B&Q store in Nursling, Southampton.
Security staff reportedly stopped Mr Aldridge after he left the store with plumbing fittings he hadn't paid for.
He explained that he had put the items in his pocket because his hands were full with planks of wood and simply forgotten to pay for them. However, the 26-year old was taken into a security room and held until police officers arrived just after 1.30pm.
Aldridge was questioned by officers before being issued with the fixed penalty notice. He told the Daily Echo: "It is very humiliating this has happened. My hands were carrying wood and I just put the copper fittings in my pocket. They didn't even cost as much as £4 - they were just around 20 to 30p and it's not like I can't afford it so why on earth would I steal it?"
Mr Aldridge was part of Team B&Q until the DIY chain terminated its sponsorship with British Olympic Association due to the 'tough retail market'.
Aspiring Olympic athletes, such as Mr Aldridge, were employed at B&Q stores and given the flexibility to fit training and competitions into their working week.
Synchro diver, Mr Aldridge, who partnered teenager Tom Daley at the Beijing games last year, used to work at the Nursling branch.