Father stole gift for son

A man had to stoop to stealing to get his son a birthday gift because of his tight finances, a court has heard.

Yesterday, Steven Boyd Suthon told the New Plymouth District Court that his budget was very limited and when he stole a toy from a city department store, it was intended as a present for his child.

‘‘I know I shouldn’t have done it but I wanted to put a smile on his face,’’ he said.

Sergeant Craig Jones said on October 12, Suthon went to Super Cheap Autos on New Plymouth’s Leach St about 9.40am and stole a six pack of Bosch spark plugs worth $65.

He took the item off the shelf, hid it under his jersey and walked out of the store.

The theft was captured on a security camera.

Jones said about 15 minutes later Suthon went to the Farmers store in the Centre City shopping centre.

He went to the toy section of the department store and shoplifted a Transformers toy, which was valued at $55.

He walked out after stashing the toy under his top, without making an attempt to pay.

Neither of the stolen items were recovered.

Yesterday, Suthon pleaded guilty to two charges of shoplifting.

The 32-year-old, who represented himself at the hearing, was told by community magistrate Lesley Jensen that while it was accepted he was under financial stress, she encouraged the defendant to look at other ways to show his child he cared.

‘‘Kids do enjoy your company and there are other ways of helping them out,’’ she said.

Suthon was convicted on the two charges and ordered to pay full reparation.

He will also have to complete 40 hours of community work.

"I know I shouldn't have done it but I wanted to put a smile on his face." Steven Boyd Suthon