A SELF-CONFESSED shopaholic who conned a clothing store out of more than £600 will pay his ill-gotten gains back at a rate of £5 per week, a court heard.

Stephen Thompson, of Aberbran Court, Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, bought various items of clothing from TK Maxx stores across the region and swapped the tags with other items bought elsewhere before returning them, allowing him to keep the original item as well as obtaining a refund.

Magistrates in Darlington heard the 55-year-old would use the same technique at TK Maxx stores in Harrogate, Teesside Park, Darlington and Newcastle, which saw him pocket £606.91 between August 8 and September 13 this year.

Rachael Dodsworth, prosecuting, said Thompson would use a pseudonym and false address when signing for the refunds, but denied doing it to make a financial gain.

She told the court Thompson, who was not represented by a solicitor, also described himself as a shopaholic and regularly shopped at TK Maxx.

Thompson admitted fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing and returned to court today (Tuesday, December 17) for sentencing.

Magistrates handed him a six-month community order with six months of supervision.

He was also ordered to pay £606.91 in compensation to TK Maxx, which will be paid back at a rate of £5 per week.

Sentencing Thompson, chairwoman of the bench Christine Selby said: “We do not see why retailers should be at a loss, so you will pay back £606.91.”