A student who stole almost £500-worth of clothing from Carlisle’s TK Maxx store has been fined by magistrates.
Sai Krishna Reddy Ramidi, 24, appeared in court in the city today and admitted theft after an incident at the Market Hall outlet on the early afternoon of January 23.
Police were alerted by a shop manager who reported that there had been a high value theft with six suspects having left the area in two separate vehicles.
The manager took photographs showing suspects in one of the vehicles, which was found by officers a short time later.
Ramidi, a masters degree student, was the driver and clothing, including hoodies tops and tracksuit pants, with a total value of £462.84, was found inside the vehicle and returned to the business.
A solicitor representing Ramidi said he had stopped at Carlisle while heading north to Scotland, and had gone into TK Maxx looking for clothing.
“He did have the wherewithal to pay for the clothing,” said Duncan Campbell, defending. “He noticed there weren’t any store detectives and he just decided to take the items out. He tells me he has no financial problems. He doesn’t know why he did it.“
When approached by the manager, said Mr Campbell, Ramidi had initially commented: “I know I’ve done wrong. Can I just hand the items back to you?”
The court heard Ramidi, of Berry Leys, Luton, had been in the UK for four months. He had previously gained a computing degree in his home country of India and was currently studying for a masters in the same subject at De Montford University.
Magistrates fined Ramidi £160. He must also pay a £64 mandatory surcharge and £85 costs.
