Thief steals suit to wear in court on shoplifting charge

A man stole a suit on his way to court – so he could wear it in the dock to face a shoplifting charge. Phillip Northmore, 26, stole the trousers, jacket, shirt and tie from a shop so he would look smart in front of a judge.

He had been due in court charged with theft but said he didn’t want to wear the only clothes he owned – jeans and T shirts. Northmore was arrested and pleaded guilty to theft at Exeter Magistrates Court.

Kelly Scrivener, defending, said: ”Rather than wearing his clothes, he stole. He accepts it was a very stupid offence. He did it with the intention of coming to court smartly dressed. His logic is wrong.”

Northmore, of Exeter, Devon, was convicted of the theft, two offences of being drunk and disorderly and one of criminal damage. He also admitted failing to surrender and two charges of breaching a suspended prison sentence and will be sentenced on June 25.