West Brom training ground guard stole player's boots
A security guard at West Bromwich Albion's training ground stole a player's football boots, a court was told.
Trainers belonging to Baggies midfielder James Morrison and boots belonging to Graham Dorrans were among the items taken.
Aaron Hinds, 25, of Cheadle Drive, New Oscott, Birmingham, told Walsall Magistrates Court he stole the kit from the training fround in Birmingham Road, Great Barr, as he could not afford his own.
The father-of-one stole trainers belonging to Morrison from the changing rooms on August 20 and boots belonging to Dorrans on August 29.
He was also caught on CCTV taking keys to the ground's laundry room where he stole one of the club's t-shirts in a clear bag on the same date.
Hinds admitted two charges of theft and one of burglary at Walsall Magistrates Court yesterday.
Miss Maxine Mcintosh, prosecuting, said on August 29, the manager viewed CCTV footage and saw the defendant in the boot room. He was seen to conceal a pair of boots inside his jacket before leaving.
She added: "On August 20, footage depicted him entering the laundry room, but he did not have permission to enter that room and had taken keys to gain access. He exited five minutes later with a t-shirt inside a clear bag. He was then seen on CCTV going into the first team training room and stealing trainers belonging to James Morrison. All of the items have been recovered."
Hinds said he had intended to use the kit to start playing football as he did not have the money to pay for his own.
Mr Baldev Mehay defending said: "Mr Hinds admitted the offence at the earliest opportunity. He is in a steady relationship and has a daughter and now has full-time employment as a driver."
Presiding magistrate Margaret Jackson said: "This is a deplorable offence and you have not only let yourself down but you have let your colleagues down."
Hinds was given a 12-month community order with 200 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £85 costs His partner Tanya Cotton, 23, also of Cheadle Drive, pleaded not guilty to the theft on August 20 and will appear before Walsall Magistrates Court on February 3.
