A THIEF tried to steal a bike from a city centre college in a bid to gain money to find employment, a court has heard.
Paul Griffin, of Wylds Lane, was caught by a security officer attempting to break the lock of a cycle on the racks at the Heart of Worcestershire College on September 3 at 3.55pm.
An officer had been watching the 37-year-old, who was with two other men, as they were acting suspiciously around the bikes, before he pulled out bolt cutters from his bag and cut the chain, Worcester Magistrates Court was told last Friday (September 19).
The court was also told how when security ran over to him and asked what he was doing, Griffin responded “I’m trying to cut through it”.
He was detained and police were called to arrest him.
Griffin, who admitted breaching a 12-month conditional discharge he was given for shop theft in January this year, pleaded guilty to attempted theft and going equipped with an item for theft.
District Judge Nigel Cadbury slapped him with an eight-week curfew – starting from Friday – to run from 8pm to 7am and was ordered to pay £17 compensation for the damaged lock.
“Clearly on this occasion there was some planning involved because you knew what you wanted to do,” District Judge Cadbury said.
“You wanted a bike so obtained some bolt cutters so it was easier to do that and went to a college where you knew there would be bikes.”
Griffin was also ordered to pay £85 compensation and a £60 victim surcharge.
