A man who committed a "nasty" jewellery theft in Frinton has escaped a prison sentence.
Theft - Tony Allan, of Stratford, London, before his Colchester Magistrates' Court appearance. 41137-2
Tony Allan's friends took him to the coastal resort for a break from financial and family pressures then abandoned him in the town knowing he had no money.
While making his way to the train station on New Years' Eve, the father of two hatched a plan to steal jewellery to pay off debts, a court heard.
He asked to look at a tray of items in Linda Bruce Design, Connaught Avenue, before grabbing two rings, worth £3,545, and running off.
Colchester magistrates heard the shop owner gave chase and caught Allan, who admitted everything to police, leaving him in breach of a conditional discharge, imposed for a shoplifting offence last May.
He appeared for sentencing yesterday, having admitted a charge of theft by shoplifting at an earlier hearing, and was given a community punishment and rehabilitation order.
Paul Baker, mitigating, said Allan, 22, had been out of work since November and could not claim benefits.
His partner's benefits had been stopped and the couple had to borrow money from family to get through Christmas.
Allan must serve a total of 100 hours community punishment, a 12-month community rehabilitation order and pay £138 costs.
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Published Tuesday, February 22, 2005
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