South Tyneside thief stole three shirts from Debenhams in Sunderland worth £179 after hiding them in a child's pushchair

Kyle Richard Lucas, 31, pleaded guilty to stealing three shirts valued at £179 from Debenhams in The Bridges last November when he appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Clare Irving, prosecuting, said Lucas, of Milton Avenue, Hebburn, was stopped by security staff as he tried to leave the store.

She said: “He was seen in Debenhams, he had a child’s pushchair with him.”

Ms Irving said he placed items under the pushchair before picking up several other items and going into the changing rooms.

When he left the changing rooms there were still items under the pushchair and he left the store without paying for them and was stopped by a security officer.

Ms Irving said there was a youngster in the pushchair and Lucas confirmed it was the child of his friend.

She said: “He made full and frank admissions. He said he was going to wear the clothes and he knew it was dishonest.”

Robin Ford, defending, said: “Mr Lucas is financially embarrassed. He is staying with friends in the South Tyneside area to try and get some work.

“He stole the clothes to wear because he has very little.

“He has been an idiot, he knows that. He had nothing to wear and he went to get some stuff to wear.”

District Judge Kathryn Meek said: “The fact he took his friend’s child in a pushchair to steal, aggravates the situation.”

Lucas was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £32 surcharge.