Kent man fined more than £2,000 after stealing Wellington boots from Dobbies in King’s Lynn

A thief has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 after he stole a pair of Wellington boots from a town store.

Darren Jarman, 43, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with theft from a shop.

He pleaded guilty to the offence, which he committed at the Dobbies store on Lynn’s Hardwick industrial estate on November 1 last year.

Crown prosecutor Lesla Small told magistrates that on that date, Jarman entered the store with another man, with the pair proceeding to “browse around”.

They looked at Yankee candles as well as Wellington boots, before placing a pair of the latter – worth £229.28 – into a bag and leaving the store without paying.

Police were called, with forensic teams unveiling finger prints at the scene which matched Jarman’s DNA. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

Jarman, of High Street in Lenham, Kent, had been working at a Swaffham farm at the time of the theft.

In mitigation, George Sorrell said the defendant had a “very unfortunate” upbringing which has resulted in some problems with drugs in the past, but that he is an “otherwise quite capable” man.

The solicitor said Jarman needed a pair of boots for his job in West Norfolk.

“He stole those Wellington boots because of his work in Swaffham on the farm,” Mr Sorrell said.

“Somebody like this gentleman should know the difference between right and wrong. It is not right to go out and steal it.

“I can’t even offer the mitigation that he took the option to steal a pair of cheaper Wellington boots. They were expensive.

“He is well away from Norfolk now, and you won’t see him again.”

Magistrates, led by Paul Rosier, ordered Jarman to pay £229.28 in compensation to Dobbies.

They also fined him £1,333, and told him to pay £145 in legal costs and a £533 victim surcharge. This brought his total payments due to £2,240.28.

Mr Rosier said: “The next time you are tempted to go into a store and take something that apparently you need, just think twice.

“Mr Sorrell kindly pointed out that there are cheaper options on the market.”