A STORE detective was alerted when a man walked in wearing a large coat during a hot day, a court was told.

The security man's suspicions were confirmed when Mark Talbot proceeded to conceal an item inside the coat and made to leave without paying.

Talbot, 29, of Brierley Street, Stacksteads, was before the bench at Rochdale, admitting he stole a £20 lock belonging to B & Q.

The court heard that Talbot, a mill maintenance worker, had a record of 105 previous offences, mainly for dishonesty, and had spent time in prison. His last conviction was 20 months ago.

Mr David Mellor, prosecuting, said Talbot's entrance into the store in a large coat caught the attention of a security officer because the coat seemed inappropriate on what was a very warm day. Talbot was seen to place the lock into a pocket of the coat.

When he was arrested Talbot said he was "broke" and needed extra cash. He had wanted to make "a few bob."

On his behalf Brian Berlyne said Talbot had an extensive record going back a few years but was now turning the corner and one of the reasons was he had found work.

However, there were periods when that work was not available and he found himself short of money and he was tempted to commit an offence.

It was an aberration in Talbot's progress towards a more productive life.

Chairman of the bench Mr Brian Davies, fining Talbot £50 with £115 court costs, said he was sorry Talbot had slipped back after seeming to stay free of offending for some time, but this had to be a final reminder to him that crime did not pay.