Sunderland man stole air fresheners worth more than £100 from Bodycare to pay off a debt

Greg Johnathan Neal, 35, admitted the theft when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said: “A customer told a member of staff they had seen a male putting items in his bag. As a result the staff approached the male and he ran off towards the Primark store.”

She said the defendant was stopped and the items, worth £103.68, were recovered and returned to the store.

She added: “He admitted the offence and said his intention, if he had been successful, was to sell the items on.”

Peter Thubron, said: “This was a spur of the moment offence. He owed money to other people and they were putting pressure on him. He thought this was a way out of the problem.”

Neal, of James William Street, was given a six-month conditional discharge, with £85 costs and a £21 victim surcharge.