Volunteer stole from charity shop

Ricki Herbert, 21, of Chiltern Drive, Hastings, broke into the Oxfam Shop, in Western Road, Bexhill, on two occasions, stealing £60 from the till each time. He also broke into the Sara Lee Trust shop in Bexhill and stole money.

Herbert pleaded guilty to all the offences when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates Court last week.

Mark Kateley, prosecuting, said: “These offences took place between April 29 and May 5. He smashed a window to gain entry to the Oxfam shop and gained entry to the Sara Lee Trust shop via a first floor window.

“Police found fingerprints and bloodstains which made a genetic match to Herbert.

“Initially he told police that he was a volunteer at the Oxfam shop which could explain the forensic evidence. but later admitted the offences.”

Mark Glendenning, defending, said: “He is registered disabled with an attention deficiency disorder and was struggling to make ends meet at the time.”

Magistrates sentenced Herbert to a six month probation supervision order and he was told to pay £120 compensation to Oxfam and £40 compensation to the Sara Lee Trust.