A THIEF who stole goods from shops in Bishop Auckland has been fined.

Marius Ionut Chirecea took more than £100 worth of goods from Boots at their stores in Newgate Street and St Helen’s Retail Park during two separate incidents on October 20 and 29 last year.

He also pleaded guilty to another theft at Argos on October 29 and failing to surrender to court bail on November 27 when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court today (February 4).

The court heard how the 24-year-old, of Wellgarth, Evenwood, had picked up toiletry items worth £103.50 on October 20 and put them into a bag before leaving the store.

He then stole a baby monitor worth £19.99 on October 29, but was only arrested after stealing a toy, worth £10.99, from Argos the same day. The toy was recovered.

When interviewed, he admitted all three offences and told officers he took the toiletries because he was unemployed and the toy to give to a friend who had recently had a child.

Nick Woodhouse, mitigating, said his client had been addicted to heroin at the time of the offences, but had now come off it.

He also told the court Chirecea was unable to get out of work when he was due to appear at court in November.

Magistrate, Keith Richardson, fined Chirecea £120 and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

He also awarded Boots compensation of £123.49.