A MILFORD Haven scaffolder has said he could not understand what led to a decision to steal clothing and cosmetics.

Chad Alex Forrest, of Nubian Crescent, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, January 29.

Prosecutor Sophie Hill said Forrest took a number of items, including clothing and cosmetics from Debenhams, Haverfordwest, totalling £141.50 after he entered the store with a female on November 8.

A member of staff followed the pair as they left the shop and told Forrest, 25, to leave any items which he had not paid for.

The court heard that the goods were recovered and there was no claim for compensation.

Mark Layton, defending, said: “He co-operated in interview and handed the items back without protesting.

“He does not really understand why he committed this offence, but it was approaching Christmas and perhaps he succumbed to the temptation of taking items of quite a high value.”

Magistrates fined Forrest £100 and ordered him to pay £85 court costs and a £30 surcharge.