A CHARD man who stole some cosmetics from a town centre pharmacy was located by police nearby still with the goods in his possession.

Stephen Nicholas Raffill was spotted by the manager of the Superdrug store stashing a number of items into his bag and then left without paying.

The police were informed who found him not far away but he said he didn’t remember going into the shop.

Raffill, 47, of Alun Rees Way, was brought before Somerset Magistrates in custody after being arrested by police on a warrant issued last week when he failed to turn up for a previous hearing.

He pleaded guilty to the theft of a quantity of cosmetics of an unknown value at Chard on May 9.

Suzie Butler, prosecuting, said the defendant entered Superdrug in Fore Street at 3pm and went to the make-up section and selected a number of items including fake tan.

“He then walked around the store before leaving and making no attempt to pay,” she said.

“This was witnessed by the manager who contacted the police and officer went looking for Raffill and found him near the shop.

“They searched him and found the stole items in his bag and when interviewed he made no comment apart from the fact he didn’t remember going into the store.”

Defending solicitor Neil Priest said that Raffill, who lived alone, had not attended court the previous week as he was suffering with an ear infection.

“He has also suffered from a number of mental health problems and receives sickness benefits,” he added.

The magistrates fined the defendant £80 and ordered hm to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.