Thief on last warning after stealing hair dye (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Darlington thief on last warning after stealing hair dye

5:38pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

AN unemployed thief has been told he is on his last warning after stealing hair dye for both him and his girlfriend.

Darlington magistrates heard Michael Alder, of Cumberland Street, Darlington, was in Wilkinsons in the town centre with his pregnant partner when he decided he was going to steal some hair dye on February 21.

Blair Martin, prosecuting, said the 26-year-old was seen on CCTV by security putting the dye in a bag. Police then stopped him outside a nearby TK Maxx store with the dye – one box of blue for him, and two boxes of pink dye for his partner.

Mr Martin said Alder, who is on jobseekers’ allowance, only had £1.49 on him at the time of the offence.

In mitigation John Turner said: “Money is very tight, he made a stupid decision and he has regretted it almost immediately.

“He is badly frightened by the possibility he may go to prison, he would find it extremely difficult indeed.

“He is a troubled young man who obviously does need help.”

Alder admitted theft, which put him in breach of a community order imposed just ten days earlier for the same offence.

Brenda Robertson of the probation service told the court Alder has not been attending appointments with his probation officer, which is a requirement of the community order.

“He is on his last warning,” she said.

Magistrates gave Alder a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

Chairman of the bench, Glynn Wales, told Alder: “It is a serious matter. You must never do that again.”