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From Exeter Express and Echo

Shoplifter stole to raise cash for food

A man stole compact discs to raise money for food, a court heard.

Peter Whaley, 37, from Old Tiverton Road, Exeter, pleaded guilty to stealing Bob Dylan, Procol Harum and Frank Zappa CDs worth £84.45 from the city's Virgin megastore on December 4.

Exeter magistrates heard he did not own a CD player and intended to sell them to buy food. Neil Lawson, prosecuting, said: 'He was seen acting suspiciously by a member of

staff who observed him on close [sic] circuit television. He then took a compact disc and put it down his jumper. 'When challenged outside he revealed more compact discs also under his jumper,' he said.

Magistrates heard that in addition to hunger, Whaley was suffering from depression and was on

medication following the recent death of his brother. Stephen Nunn, defending, said: 'He does not own a compact disc player so it can only be assumed he was trying to sell on the compact discs.'

Whaley was bailed for pre-sentence reports.

Back to Shine On-Line May 1998