A man who was recently convicted of stealing £828 word of goods from B&Q in Chard, Somerset, maintained his innocence even during sentencing, despite being caught on CCTV.

Somerset magistrates were told how John Arthur Dodimead was caught on security cameras entering the B&Q store with a trolley, picking up a black-lidded dustbin and then putting electrical and battery-powered goods inside. He then left without paying, returning four times to repeat the same actions.

Mr Dodimead, of Portishead, pleaded not guilty to stealing the goods when he appeared before the magistrate court. He was found guilty of the offence following a trial before the court at Yeovil, but the sentencing bench were told of his continued not-guilty plea.

It was revealed that Mr Dodimead had previous convictions for theft and like offences.

He was sentenced to a 12 month community order with a requirement to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £828 compensation to B&Q and £400 towards the cost of the trial.