Worcester cage fighter fined for stealing beauty products from Superdrug

Thomas Porter, known as ‘Tommy’, admitted theft from a shop when he appeared before city magistrates on Thursday, (September 22). 

In police interview, he offered no reason for stealing the beauty products and later called it "out of character".

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said the 32-year-old walked into Superdrug at around 2pm on August 26.

THIEF: Thomas Porter. Picture: West Mercia Police (Image: West Mercia Police)

"Mr Porter selects items and puts them in a bag for life," Mr Hambling said. 

"He leaves by the entrance offering no payment."

The prosecutor said staff used the city radio, which communicates to other stores, and police were contacted. 

On arrival, officers located Porter and arrested him with all property recovered in a resaleable condition. 

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Mr Hambling said: "[In police interview] He said he didn't know why he decided to steal.

"He apologised and said his actions were dishonest."

The prosecutor said Porter had previous convictions - 2020 being the last time he was in court for a dishonesty matter. 

Porter, who represented himself, was then told to stand and asked by the court clerk if there was anything he wanted to say.

"It was out of character for me and I'm sorry," Porter said. 

THIEF: Thomas Porter stole from the Superdrug store in Worcester city centre. Picture: Sam Greenway/Newsquest (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Trevor Burgess, chairman of the magistrates bench, told Porter they were fining him £70, and ordered him to pay costs of £135, and a victim surcharge of £28. 

Porter, of Holly Mount Road, Worcester, was told to pay the full amount, £233, within 28 days.

Porter, who has worked as a decorator, said "sound" to the magistrates and "no worries" as he left the dock of courtroom 2.

In 2018 we reported on Porter being jailed for breaking a man’s arm with a metal bar.

In that case, Porter had told police he was ‘a boxer and cage fighter’ who ‘could handle himself’.

In that case, Porter was jailed by a district judge for 18 months after admitting a section 20 grievous bodily harm offence.