A thief who stole a garage’s CCTV camera was recognised by police from its final moments of recording.

Troy Hamilton’s face filled the screen as he took the camera from the Harry Tuffins garage at Holywell, Flintshire, in November, Flintshire magistrates were told.

Wyn Jones, prosecuting, said film taken from the camera showed the defendant pulling up in his car, walk towards the camera, cut four wires and then force it off its holding bracket.

He said Hamilton stole the camera because he wanted to improve security at his home where where “presumably he thought it would not be stolen”.

But Hamilton was recognised immediately from his close-up by an officer called to the theft.

Hamilton, who admitted theft, handed himself in to police when he learned they want to arrest him, the court was told.

Gary Harvey, defending, said: “It is probably the most ridiculous offence you will ever hear about.”

“He thought the camera would be useful to him. But he is known in the community and was instantly recognised.

Hamilton was told to pay £200 compensation for the camera with £145 costs, and he was sent on a thinking skills course run by the probation service.

Hamilton told the court he would be able to re-install the camera if that was needed.

Topics