A teenage thief tried to hide from cameras inside a department store as he stole £400-worth of clothes and accessories.
Lewis McPherson, who had never been in trouble before, thought he'd try his luck in Fenwick, in Newcastle, but was unaware he'd come to the attention of watching security guards. Although the 18-year-old thought he'd gone out of view of CCTV, he was caught in the act stuffing a bag full of expensive shirts, jogger and gloves, worth £463, a court heard.
McPherson, of Denmark Street, in Bensham, Gateshead, was detained by the shop's security and later arrested after the goods were recovered from his bag. He had been due before Newcastle Magistrates' Court earlier this month but failed to show and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
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The teen appeared in the dock in custody on Thursday to plead guilty to shop theft and was fined £80. Prosecutor, Marc Atkins, said McPherson entered Fenwick on January 19 this year and was immediately observed on CCTV. Mr Atkins added: "He took items of clothing from various stands and took them to a secluded corner out of view of the camera.
"A security officer soon finds the defendant on the stairwell. He has a black bag with him, which he had concealed the items in. He was detained and taken to the security office until police arrived."
The court heard that McPherson, who has no past convictions, had been going through a tough time after being forced out of his family home. Andy O'Hanlon, defending, continued: "He was finding things very difficult at the time. He was in a disorientated state. He has learned his lesson and not committed any further offences since January."
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