Girlfriend of security guard stole boots belonging to Graham Dorrans

Tanya Cotton stole boots worth £200 belonging to Graham Dorrans with her boyfriend Aaron Hinds at West Bromwich Albion training ground on August 29 last year.

Walsall Magistrates Court heard that the 24-year-old, of Cheadle Drive, Birmingham, had been 'stupid' because she believed her boyfriend when he told her he was allowed to borrow the boots. But she was found guilty of theft during a hearing yesterday.

Mr Mark Rees, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was in the boot room with her boyfriend Mr Hines.

"Because there had been items going missing from the training ground CCTV cameras were installed which show Hines selecting boots and passing them to Miss Cotton.

"She then stuffs them down her leggings and pulls her jumper over the top. After realising the boots are not concealed, she hands them to Hines and helps him conceal them and the two then leave the room.

"The defendant was interviewed and insisted she had not taken anything from the ground, which is true, but she helped her partner to take them."

Giving evidence, Cotton said Hines told her he intended to borrow the boots before concealing them inside his jacket.

She said: "Aaron said he was allowed to borrow the boots and I believed him because I have known him for five years and I've been his girlfriend for two years.

"He asked me to hold a pair of boots and told me to put them down leggings which I did but then I took them out and handed them back to him.

"I am aware of how it looks on the footage but at the time I did not question him because I trust him. I had no intention of stealing anything."

The court head the couple were interviewed by police after returning from a holiday together in September.

Hines admitted two charges of theft and one of burglary in November last year after also stealing trainers belonging to Baggies midfielder James Morrison.

He was caught on CCTV taking keys to the ground's laundry room where he also stole one of the club's t-shirts in a clear bag.

Giving evidence yesterday he said: "I picked up the boots and I had planned to steal them but I told Tanya that I was allowed to take them.

"I asked her to hold them for me so that I could lock up but she said no and gave them back to me.

"When Tanya left the training ground the boots were still with me at the reception."

Mr David Holdcroft, defending, said Cotton had not been dishonest but that her actions were stupid.

He added: "She trusted her boyfriend too much, she was stupid but stupidity is not a crime."

Chair magistrate Richard Dewis said: "The video footage did not make it clear that Miss Cotton did not want to steal the boots.

"She was a willing accomplice and we find her guilty as charged."

Cotton will be sentenced at Walsall Magistrates Court on Monday (April 14).