Sunderland thief '˜hoped to boost sex life' with lubricant theft, court told

A thief who stole flavoured lubricant in the hope of reviving his ailing sex life ended up in court for his troubles.

Lee Robson, 33, walked into Tesco Extra on Roker Retail Park on March 4 before making off with two tubes of Durex Pleasure Gel, Sunderland Magistrates Court heard.

Robson took the products – retailing at £8.80 – which comes in varieties including Saucy Strawberry, Cheeky Cherry and 
Tingling.

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Prosecutor Glenda Beck said: “A witness saw Mr Robson on the CCTV selecting the items from the display and put them up his sleeve and leave without offering payment.

“He was stopped by police and the goods were recovered.

“He told police he had wanted to surprise his girlfriend, because they were having sexual difficulties.”

Robson also faced a second theft of £50 of food from Iceland, the court heard. Those goods are still outstanding. Robson, of Newcastle Road, Sunderland, admitted two counts of 
theft.

Chris Wilson, defending, said: “He and his partner were having some relationship difficulties at the time and he made a foolish decision, in order to try to address the difficulties he and she was having.”

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District Judge Sarah-Jane Griffths said: “You were released from prison in November last year and already you are back 
before this court for two offences.

“One of them, I hear, is because you were having difficulties with your benefits and the other was purely for your own personal gratification.

“There is no excuse for committing these two offences.”

Robson was fined £80, with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and £50 compensation.