Thief claimed he stole expensive perfume and clothes from Fenwick because 'stealing is easy'

A brazen thief told police he'd stolen expensive perfume and clothes from a department store because "stealing is easy".

Shane Freeman helped himself to more than £600-worth of goods from Fenwick, in Newcastle City Centre, when he targeted the shop twice within 24 hours. But, the hapless 52-year-old was recognised by security on his second visit to the store and he was confronted trying to steal a jacket and polo shirt, a court heard.

Freeman, of Westgate Hill Terrace, in Newcastle, was arrested and appeared before magistrates in the city this week. He pleaded guilty to two counts of shop theft.

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Ruth Forster, prosecuting, said Freeman, who has one past conviction, first entered Fenwick on August 16 this year and was observed on CCTV. He was seen "acting suspiciously" near the perfume counter before leaving without buying anything.

Mrs Forster continued: "Staff members checked and confirmed he had taken two bottles of Valentino perfume and two bottles of Armani perfume, worth £304. Those items were not recovered."

The court heard that Freeman returned the following day but was recognised by security and confronted as he tried to leave with a jacket and polo shirt, worth £340. Mrs Forster said: "The defendant was arrested and interviewed without legal representation and he fully admitted he was guilty of both offences.

"He said he stole the items to sell for cocaine and alcohol because it was so easy to steal." Freeman, representing himself in court, told magistrates: "There's nothing I want to say - it was out of desperation, really."

Freeman was fined £80 and must pay £304 compensation.