A DOZY criminal gave police a more than handy clue when he wrote his name on a stolen war pension book - so another could cash it in, a court heard yesterday.

Houghton-le-Spring magistrates heard that Brian Walmsley, 20, gained nothing from signing his name as a person able to receive the money on behalf of the owner of two pension books.

But it led the police straight to his door.

Michael Henderson, defending, told the court: "My client was not being too bright. He's obviously never going to have a career as a criminal."

The books had been stolen from a Washington pensioner months before a person, not identified in court, tried to cash them after persuading Walmsley to use his name.

Walmsley, of Helmdon, Sulgrave, Washington, admitted deception and breaching a community rehabilitation order, for which he was fined £60 and £50 respectively. He was also ordered to pay £60 costs