A CHEEKY teenage thief stole a fishing rod and tried to resell it to staff before even leaving the shop.Nineteen-year-old Yohann Ramchelawon, 19, stole the £79.
A CHEEKY teenage thief stole a fishing rod and tried to resell it to staff before even leaving the shop.
Nineteen-year-old Yohann Ramchelawon, 19, stole the £79.99 rod from Ipswich's Cash Converters as a dare.
But the offence backfired and at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court he pleaded guilty to theft and obtaining property by deception.
Dino Barricella, mitigating, told the court: “He picked up the fishing rod, took off the tag and didn't even leave the shop before he tried to sell it back to them.
“His friend dared him. It was a practical joke that went wrong.
“He didn't appreciate the seriousness of it.
“It's a very basic offence and a very foolish offence.”
Ramchelawon, who was homeless at the time of the offence, which happened on June 20, is now staying at a YMCA hostel.
He had previously appeared in court after stealing a defibrillator from Ipswich Railway Station.
District Judge David Cooper said: “I think he's not taking life seriously enough.”
The judge ordered a report to be prepared before Ramchelawon is sentenced on July 12.
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