A BUNGLING shoplifter who fell over as he tried to flee shop staff was sent to jail yesterday (Thursday December 5).

Stockton man Ian Stuart Cusken stole toothbrushes and cosmetics worth £78.76 from the B&M store, in Darlington, on Thursday, November 21.

He claimed he had stolen them to sell on after attending a party in Darlington with no money to get back home again.

At Darlington Magistrates Court, Choi Chen, mitigating, said: “This was an unsophisticated matter rather pathetically carried out.

“He was seen by staff and confronted. He tried to run off, tripped, fell over and surrendered completely.

“All items were recovered and he apologised.”

Magistrates activitated a suspended prison sentence Cusken, of Wembley Way, was serving at the time of the offence and jailed him for six weeks.