A CROOK who stole nearly £100 worth of goods from a Boots store to pay for his train fare home was not fined for his crime.

Jason Webb, Binfields Close, Basingstoke, pleaded guilty to theft at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was given a 12 month conditional discharge.

On August 4, the 54-year-old stole two Paco Rabanne aftershaves, worth £87.50, from Boots, in Silver Street, Salisbury, before being stopped by police when the goods were recovered.

In his interview with police he said he was on disabled benefits and did not have enough money to buy a train ticket home.

“I was attacked in 2015 and stabbed which left me with a brain trauma. Since then I have had epileptic seizures,” he said.

“I have been going to Salisbury Hospital as there is no neurological unit in Basingstoke. I use the benefits I have for the train fares but sometimes I cannot afford them.

“I have never had a problem with alcohol but I used to have a drug problem.”

Magistrate Michael New said that giving him a fine would not have been an effective way of helping him but a 12 month conditional discharge would be more effective.

Webb was still told to pay a £20 surcharge.