£169 Shropshire shoplifter stole from Boots to try to win back his partner
A Shropshire shoplifter who stole £169 worth of beauty products from Boots the chemist in an effort to win round his estranged partner has been conditionally discharged.
Matthew Cotterill's "grand gesture" backfired spectacularly when he was spotted by a member of staff and detained outside the store, Telford magistrates heard yesterday.
Jobless Cotterill, 24, of Admirals Close, Shifnal, admitted stealing £169 worth of goods from Boots in Telford town centre last month.
He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge in addition to being given the conditional discharge.
Mr Mike Surzyn, defending, told the court Cotterill was estranged from his partner with whom he had two children.
He said: "The offence wasn't motivated by drink and drugs. I think the motivation was lack of money and family circumstances."
Mr Surzyn said Cotterill had repeatedly applied for jobs without success and was fed up of having no money.
He said Cotterill hoped to win round his partner and treat his children with the stolen goods but added: "This was a misguided grand gesture which backfired spectacularly."
