A WORCESTER man suffering from depression has admitted stealing three comics from a city centre shop.
Stuart Kirk, who lives at the YMCA in Henwick Road, pleaded guilty to stealing two comics worth a total of £7 from WHSmith in High Street on January 15 and another worth £3.99 on January 22 when he appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday.
Prosecutor Owen Beale said staff saw Kirk pick up the two comics and leave without paying when they reviewed CCTV after noticing magazines had gone missing.
He said the 39-year-old was arrested after going into the shop for a second time on January 22, having committed the second theft when he visited the shop earlier in the day.
Mark Sheward, defending, said Kirk had been diagnosed with depression.
“He didn’t feel himself and stole the comics to lighten his mood,” he said.
District judge Nigel Cadbury ordered Kirk to pay a £70 fine as well as £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
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