A HOMELESS man has been given a 12 month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to theft.
Paul Griffin, who currently lives in the Maggs Day Centre, Worcester, was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge after taking a pair of Rockport boots worth £59.99.
The incident happened about 5pm on December 30 when the 36-year-old entered the premises of TK Maxx in the Shambles and took the item without paying.
On Friday (January 17) Worcester Magistrates Court heard Griffin had 10p in his pocket when he went into the shop, selected the pair of boots and placed them into a bag he had brought in with him.
The court also heard how he was stopped almost immediately and the boots were recovered in good order and fit for sale.
Susie Duncan, defending solicitor, said: “He was in TK Maxx wearing his own pair of shoes, which have got holes in the soles, and to use his word ‘it was a moment of madness’.
“They were for him to wear and not to sell on. He used to take drugs before going into custody but he’s tried to sort himself out since then.”
Griffin was not ordered to pay any court costs due to his financial situation, and compensation was not required as the boots were recovered in good condition.
