Sunderland thief stole neighbour's garden chairs for his mum as a gift for Mother’s Day

Louis Whelan, 20, of Saltburn Road, Springwell, Sunderland, swiped the £200 items and hauled them back to his nearby home, a court heard.

In the same escapade in Solway Gardens on May 13, he swiped another householder’s garden ornaments – but was spotted in the act by one victim who called police.

They found the stolen stash in his home, with some of the ornaments damaged but the chairs otherwise untouched, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.

When quizzed, Whelan confessed he had taken the chairs as a present for Mother’s Day, which fell on Sunday, March 13 this year.

Prosecutor Lesley Burgess said: “One of the complainants was at home when they heard noises.

“He looked out and saw a male pulling up ornaments from his garden. He recognised the male, who lives near their home.

“He then sees him take chairs from another garden. Police have come and the defendant has allowed them in.

“There are two chairs and the ornaments, and some of the ornaments were broken.

“He said that he’d taken the chair for his mum for a Mother’s Day present. It was mentioned that it was May and that Mother’s Day had gone.

“His memory was hazy due to a concoction of substances.

“The defendant is no stranger to the court although his last similar offence was in 2015 as a youth.”

Ian Cassidy, defending, said: “He tells me he’s been struggling recently from some use of substances. He’s getting help from Wear Recovery.

“He says that he just doesn’t understand what happened here, it’s a bit hazy.

“He’s said, ‘I’ve clearly gone into these gardens, I don’t know what I was doing’.

“He’s not really thought through the ridiculous actions that he’s carried out.”

The court heard Whelan, who pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage, plans to start a new life in Northamptonshire.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and must pay £30 compensation and a £32 victim surcharge.

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