A THIEF who removed a loose bike rack so he could steal an expensive pedal cycle was identified because of his 'ginger' hair.

Deliveroo and Just Eat rider Luis Calado was convicted in his absence of stealing the bike, worth £1,200, from an underground carpark in Newport House, Newport Street, Worcester at the city's magistrates court on Monday.

The theft of the orange Trek Roscoe 8, which had been left secured by two different locks, happened between Tuesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 18 this year.

The owner returned to find his bike missing and noticed bolts had been removed from the rack which was how he believed this pedal cycle was stolen.

CCTV showed the thief lifting the bike rack so he could remove the bike.

The 27-year-old defendant of Mill Street, Worcester had denied in interview that he was the man captured on CCTV.

However, police community support officer Nathan Stevenson said he was '100 per cent' certain the man in stills from the footage was Calado.

The defendant did not attend court to contest the matter, which had been set down for a trial and PSCO Stevenson was the only live witness called.

The rest of the evidence consisted of statements read out by the prosecutor, Sarah Hurd. Calado's solicitor, Ian Parsons, who had told his client about the court hearing, was given permission by magistrates to withdraw.

PCSO Stevenson said he had known Calado for eight years. When asked by Miss Hurd how she could be sure the man in the stills was the defendant he said: "He has got a very gaunt look and ginger hair."

The PCSO also said the defendant's clothing was also familiar.

In one of the stills Calado's Deliveroo bag can be seen. In police interview Calado said he was a delivery rider for Just-Eat. When shown the man in the images he said: "That's not me - it's an incorrect identification."

He was asked if he stole the bike and he said 'no', claiming he did not know where Newport House was.

Miss Hurd revealed Calado did have previous convictions for theft of pedal cycles in 2015 and handling stolen pedal cycles in 2019. She added: "To say he's part-time, if not a full-time, bike thief would not be an exaggeration."

A warrant not backed for bail was issued.