A MAN hired carpet cleaning machines from Lowestoft stores then sold them for a fraction of what they were worth, a court was told.
Vincent Vigo-Di-Gallidoro, 20, went into stores including Homebase and Morrisons in February and hired three Rug Doctor cleaners, together worth �1,849. But he did not return them, and sold two for �75 each and one for �100.
On Tuesday at Lowestoft Magistrates' Court, Vigo-Di-Gallidoro, of London Road, Pakefield, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft.
Colette Griffiths, prosecu-ting, said: 'He had no money coming in, he was on benefits. He decided to sell the machines. He does not remember who he sold them to.'
Magistrates heard the unemployed welder and scaffolder had no previous convictions and relied on his father for money.
Sultan Walpole, mitigating, said: 'He saw an opportunity and he took it. He deeply regrets it now. He has lost his good character.'
Vigo-Di-Gallidoro was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay �700 in compensation to Rug Doctor for the lost machines.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here