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.