A THIEF tried to stuff a charity box down his trousers in a pub but was foiled when staff spotted him.

Lee Forrest admitted attempting to steal the charity box in aid of Primrose Hospice, which offers help and advice to cancer patients and their families.

Forrest, aged 34, of Trent Close, Droitwich, had gone to the Eagle and Sun pub in Hanbury, near Droitwich, to book a celebration meal for his parents following the payment of his disability living allowance.

When Forrest found the pub was closed on Monday, November 16, he knocked on the window and was let in by staff.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting at Worcester Magis-trates Court, said: “He put some money in the charity box and felt it was heavy. Then he stuffed it down his trousers.

“He initially tried to deny the theft but later confessed. He explained to police it was a spur of the moment decision which he regrets.”

A witness statement was read out in which the head chef described one of the cleaners remonstrating with Forrest after watching him put the box down his trousers.

Miss Ashton said: “He pulled the charity box out and gave it back to them and said ‘have it back’.”

Sarah Brady, defending, said Forrest had since written a letter of apology to staff at the pub.

She said: “It is difficult to overstate how remorseful he is for his actions. He is certainly not a persistent thief. He’s shocked and appalled at himself. It’s to his credit that he fully admitted the offence to police.”

Miss Brady described him as having mental health problems, including psychosis, and emphysema which meant he had to live with his parents.

Forrest wanted to celebrate getting two months’ worth of disability living allowance by taking his parents for a meal.

She also said the charity box and its contents were recovered so there was no need to apply for compensation. He was fined £85, ordered to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £15.

Forrest said to magistrates: “I do apologise. I am very remorseful. It will never happen again.”

Your Worcester News reporter was the only member of the media at this hearing.