Homeless man stole Lynx gift sets from Sunderland Wilko to buy food and pay for a bed

Andrew Craig Potter, 34, of no fixed abode pleaded guilty in his absence to stealing five Lynx gift sets from Wilko in Sunderland.

Glenda Beck, prosecuting, told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court that Potter had gone into the shop on October 21 at around 2pm.

She said: “The witness was working on the shop floor and saw Mr Potter acting suspiciously.

“He got five Lynx sets and placed them in a bag for life that he was carrying and left the store without paying.”

Police were called to the store and Potter admitted stealing the sets.

She said: “He wanted to get money for a B&B and some food.”

Jason Smith, defending, said: “He is a gentleman who is down on his luck. He is homeless at the present time.

“He is not eligible for food banks because he is a single male. He is not eligible for emergency housing because he is a single male.

“When you are desperate you make mistakes. He is acutely embarrassed that he has had to do that.”

Potter was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay £20 costs and a £21 surcharge.