Published at 08:10, Wednesday, 28 July 2010

A Cumbrian man has admitted being a serial knicker thief who repeatedly stole skimpy underwear from washing lines.

Alan Clark

Carlisle magistrates heard that Alan Clark, 50, carried out the thefts for “sexual gratification,” sneaking into gardens in the early hours of the morning to steal knickers.

He pleaded guilty to two thefts and asked for three similar offences to be taken into consideration.

Adrienne Harris, prosecuting, told the court that Clark had been cautioned for a similar offence in 2008.

She outlined how knickers began disappearing from washing lines in June and July and police, suspecting Clark, went to speak to him at his house in Waver Lane, Wigton, where he lives alone, on July 15.

“The house was searched and it would appear 23 pairs of women’s underwear were found in his drawers in his bedroom,” said Miss Harris.

Clark readily volunteered where he had stolen the underwear from, saying he had gone out as early as 5.30am in order to steal them.

In his police interview, Clark told officers: “I steal knickers because it turns me on.”

Andrew Wilson, for Clark, told the court: “This is certainly an unusual offence.

“Mr Clark has been very frank about what he does. He is seeking the assistance of his GP and hopes to be referred by his GP for counselling.

“That will hopefully lift the affliction from him. He has been cooperative with the police and frank.”

Mr Wilson said his client was on Income Support and was a man of little means.

Magistrates said they wanted to have background reports on Clark before they passed sentence, noting that he had targeted local women’s gardens and in the past he has had convictions for violence.

They confirmed that they will consider a community penalty rather than custody.

They imposed a 10pm to 7am curfew and granted Clark bail on condition that he does not enter anybody else’s garden and does not possess any female underwear or contact any of the prosecution witnesses in the case.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk