A MAN stole Lego and remote control cars to sell for money out of desperation, a court heard.

George Daniel of High Northgate, Darlington, stole three remote control cars worth £54.94 from the town’s TK Maxx store, on Crown Street, on December 1. 

The 44-year-old later stole Lego worth £67 from Argos on December 11, Darlington magistrates were told.

Andrew Coleman, mitigating, said Daniel had stolen the items to sell to make some money before Christmas as he had recently been made homeless.

He said: “Unfortunately these offences have taken place when things were not going well for him.

“He found his benefits had been stopped and found himself completely homeless with no fixed abode whatsoever.

“That is why he stole so he could sell them before Christmas so he could get money to survive. These offences in themselves were committed out of desperation.”

Daniel pleaded guilty to three charges of theft and magistrates handed him a conditional discharge for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay £67 compensation to Argos and £15 victim surcharge.