A teenage thief spent a night in a police cell after helping himself to an expensive coat from Fenwick.
Andrew Martin was spotted by security putting the £260 Tommy Hilfiger jacket on and trying to leave the Newcastle City Centre store without paying. But the 18-year-old, who had no idea he was being watched, didn't get far after he was detained at the exit, a court heard.
Martin, of Church Way, in North Shields, had been due before magistrates in Newcastle last month but failed to show and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was detained earlier this week and, having spent a night in a police cell, appeared in the dock in custody to plead guilty to one count of shop theft.
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Prosecutor, Niamh Reading, said a Fenwick security officer's attention was drawn to Martin on December 7 as he was "acting suspiciously". Miss Reading added: "The officer began to monitor the CCTV and he observed the defendant select a jacket, valued at £260. He put it on over his own coat and attempted to leave the store."
The court heard that Martin, who has no past convictions, was stopped the exit and taken to the store's security room, where he made no comment to every question he was asked.
Mark Harrison, defending, said Martin suffered from ADHA and Autism and had never been before a court before. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £22 victim surcharge.
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