AN unemployed thief stole DVDs months after he was released from prison, a court heard.

Keith Skinner, 32, of Greenbank Road, Darlington, tried to take two DVDs from the town’s HMV store on January 17 without paying, Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard.

However after being followed by security guards, he dropped the brown carrier bag he had used to take the DVDs, which was then picked up by a member of the public who ran off with them in the opposite direction.

Skinner, who was released from prison in October following a 36 month custodial sentence, pleaded guilty to theft.

Magistrates ordered him to pay £65 compensation as the DVDs had not been recovered, and £40 court costs.