A pensioner gave in to temptation and stole from a Teesside shop just before Christmas, a court was told yesterday.

Thomas Cox, 75, was tempted by a bottle of aftershave. But he was spotted hiding it in a bag and was stopped on leaving the store, said prosecutor Sally Ann Knowles.

His solicitor, Peter Wishlade, told Teesside Magistrates that Cox was "very sprightly" for his age. Cox, of Westport Close, Portrack, Stockton, was fined £40 after he pleaded guilty to the December 23 theft of the aftershave worth £12.49 from Boyes' store, in Stockton.