A SHOPLIFTER stole a radio-controlled helicopter from a Hereford shop after two previous replacements did not work.

Paul Hughes-Cooper, 35, of Rudhall Close, Ross-on-Wye and his pregnant partner, Sarah Luck, 29, both admitted two separate counts of theft when they appeared in Hereford Magistrates' Court.

Hughes-Cooper said he took a toy helicopter – worth £70 – from Hawkin's Bazaar in Maylord Street on October 9.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said Hughes-Cooper had been given the toy as a gift but discovered it didn’t work. The shop gave him a replacement but this one didn’t work either.

And, when the shop refused to give him another replacement, Hughes-Cooper walked into Hawkin’s Bazaar and took a helicopter without paying.

Mr Jones added: "The stolen one didn't work as it turned out."

The helicopter was found at his home by police officers on October 26.

Luck, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to stealing two Lyle and Scott t-shirts worth £99.98 from Calandras Menswear in Church Street, Hereford, on September 18.

Mr Jones said the couple went into the shop and spoke to the owner who went down to the basement to get an item of clothing for Hughes-Cooper to try on.

When the couple had left the shop he noticed the t-shirts has been stolen.

With the help of Hereford city centre CCTV the pair were identified and officers went to their home address and found one of the stolen t-shirts.

Philip Cornell, defending, said both of the defendants are making progress with the help of the probation service.

Hughes-Cooper admitted breaching a suspended sentence order which he was given on July 3 for a public order offence.

This had now been extended to 18 months.

Magistrates gave Hughes-Cooper a 12-month community order with a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was ordered to pay a £150 criminal court charge, £60 victim surcharge and was fined £50 for breaching a suspended sentence.

Luck was given a six-month community order with a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay a criminal court charge of £150, a victim surcharge of £60, a punitive element of £10 and to pay compensation for the stolen t-shirt which was not recovered.