Thief caught after returning tablet he could not work to charity shop he'd stolen it from

A thief stole an Android tablet from a charity shop, only to return it eight days later as he couldn't get it to work. Christopher Hooson took the device from the window display of the Jonny Kennedy in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, when staff weren’t looking. But the 33-year-old struggled to get the tablet to work and tried to donate it back to the shop just eight days later. He was then recognised by staff from CCTV footage. Hooson, who initially tried to claim he had forgotten he’d put the tablet in his bag and had returned it when he realised, pleaded guilty to one count of shop theft at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Lynne Russell, prosecuting, said the offence happened on November 11. She said: “The defendant went into the Jonny Kennedy charity shop on Park Avenue. Once in there, he removed a computer tablet, valued at £50, which was in the window display. He put it in a carrier bag and left the shop. Eight days later, he returned to the same charity shop. He returned the stolen computer tablet. Because of CCTV, he was then identified by staff and arrested.”



Ms Russell added: “He was taken to the police station. He admitted taking the item. He said he saw it in the window and thought it would be cheap or free, as it was in a charity shop, so took it. He took it and realised it didn’t work without further equipment, so returned it to the shop.” Hooson, of Sunderland, was representing himself in court. He said: “I didn’t intend to steal it. I forgot I had it in my bag, so I returned it when I noticed.”

But District Judge Begley didn’t accept Hooson’s excuse and said: “How do you walk out of a shop having put it in your bag and not notice?” Hooson replied: “I know, it sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?” District Judge Begley said: “That’s not what happened, is it?” After hesitating, Hooson replied: “No.” Fining Hooson £75 for the offence, District Judge Begley said: “It’s not very nice to steal from a charity shop. At least some sense eventually returned to you and you returned the item. However, it is a particularly mean offence.” Hooson was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.