A THIEF who stole an iPhone that had been left on a pub table was found with the item stuffed in his sock after being confronted by door staff.

Christopher Donald, 39, carried out the ‘opportunistic theft’ at The Bees Knees pub in Workington on March 22.

Outlining the case at Workington Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Pamela Fee said the victim had been sat at a table with a friend and had left his phone out on the table while he went to the toilet.

The man came back and saw the phone had gone missing. Door staff checked CCTV footage which showed Donald had taken the phone.

Door staff found the defendant, who had the phone inside his sock. He was detained by door staff, who contacted the police.

He was arrested and interviewed by police but remained silent throughout, the court heard.

Donald, who was not legally represented, said: “I agree I committed the crime. I can’t remember so I can’t really comment.

“I’m deeply ashamed of my actions on that day. I lost all respect of the work colleagues I was out with that evening.

“Since 2008 I have suffered with PTSD which I’m on medication for. I shouldn’t have been drinking.”

Donald, of Croftfield Road, Seaton, Workington, pleaded guilty to theft from the person of another.

Magistrates fined him £246 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £98 victim surcharge.