Monday, July 06, 2009

Bald man fined for stealing hair straighteners

A bald-headed Pembroke Dock man was fined after stealing a pair of hair straighteners from Wilkinsons. Haverfordwest Magistrates heard how Paul Quinn, aged 33, of 21 Wesley Court, Pembroke Dock, entered the Pembroke Dock homeware store and removed the device from its packaging, using his hands and teeth to break through the security tag.

On carrying out stock checks a member of staff later discovered that the product was missing and alerted police. Prosecutor Ellie Morgan said that Quinn passed by a patrolling PCSO in the town shortly after the offence took place carrying a bag. He said to the PCSO: “I’ve just pinched some stuff,” and laughed. “The PCSO described the suspect as a bald-headed man wearing a black t-shirt,” said Ms Morgan.

CCTV footage showed the theft taking place and the PCSO was able to make a positive identification. In his police interview, the court heard how Quinn admitted the offence, saying he stole the straighteners in order to sell on for money to buy food. “This was an act of desperation,” said Alun Morgan defending, pointing out that had experienced trouble with rent arrears and had an ‘extremely small amount of money to live on’. “Instead of going for help, he unfortunately took matters into his own hands.”

Mr Morgan also told magistrates that while his client, whose court appearance fell on his 33rd birthday, had suffered periods of homelessness and addiction, he was making a conscious effort to turn his life around, attending the job centre three times a week and completing training courses to better his chance of employment. Quinn was fined £50 for the theft and was ordered to pay £27 compensation to Wilkinsons plus court costs.

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