Homeless shoplifter fined after trying to steal T-shirts from South Shields store

A homeless man has been fined £141 for attempting to steal £90 worth of clothing from a South Tyneside store.

A bungling shoplifter caught in the act must pay as punishment more than the value of the goods he was trying to take from a South Tyneside store.

Magistrates punished Daniel Flood, 47, to the tune of £141 for his crime – even though his theft bid was for £90 of clothing.

Homeless Flood targeted retailer Boyes’ store in King Street, South Shields, at 2pm on Monday, July 13, prosecutor John Garside said.

But staff blocked his way as he bypassed the tills and the T-shirts which he planned to take were recovered from him and returned to the shelves.

At South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, he pleaded guilty to a single count of theft from a shop.

His solicitor revealed it was his first offence in 14 months and described that as “quite an achievement”, given his past offending record.

Mr Garside told the hearing: “The defendant went into Boyes and bagged some T-shirts, valued at £90, but he was stopped by staff.

“All the items were recovered and returned to the store.

“He was cooperative when interviewed by the police and made full and frank admissions.

“The defendant was last before a court in May last year for theft from a shop.”

Michelle Stonley, defending, told magistrates: “You’ll no doubt afford Mr Flood full credit for his guilty plea.

“He made full admissions to the police and does so again today in court.

“He’s not been before the courts since May 2025, which, when you look at his previous convictions, is quite an achievement for Mr Flood.

“He does apologise to the court and to the store. It was an opportunistic theft and one that he deeply regrets.”

Magistrates fined Flood £40, with £85 court costs and a £16 victim surcharge.