A MAN who tried to sell a digital photo frame which had been stolen from a charity shop to make just £3 profit has been banned from going out at night for the next four weeks.

Benjamin McGill bought the £25 frame from a known shoplifter for £5 but was caught when he tried to sell it in a shop for £8 on May 15, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, were told.

Staff at Cash Converters in Darlington where McGill, 26, of Oxford Street Mews in the town, tried to sell the frame had been told a similar item had been stolen earlier that day from a St Teresa's Hospice shop.

Prosecutor Katherine Hannah said they immediately called police and, upon investigation, it turned out the frame was the one that had been stolen from the charity shop.

McGill, who said he knew the frame was probably stolen when he bought it, admitted handling stolen goods and breaching a conditional discharge he was given in April for shop lifting.

Rory Todd, in mitigation, said McGill was a recreational user of heroine and takes the Class A drug when he is bored.

Mr Todd said his client is due to start work as a painter and decorator next week which should occupy his time.

Dr Peter Minto, chairman of the bench, said if McGill was bored he should volunteer at a charity shop rather than handling goods stolen from them.

Dr Minto told McGill: “You are doing nothing for either yourself or the community.”

McGill was given a curfew for four weeks from 8pm to 7am.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.