A staycation tourist has apologised and been slapped with a £559 court bill after swiping two teddy bears…from a holiday park arcade claw machine. Luke Humphries, 25, was on a summer break at the Solway Caravan Park in Silloth, Cumbria, on August 30 when it’s claimed he opened the door, reached in and grabbed the two plush toys worth £11 from the arcade game.
Workington Magistrates Court heard a member of staff called Cumbria Police after witnessing the theft and after officers quizzed him he was “very apologetic” claiming he thought the machine was broken. Humphries, of Batley, in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, was fined £330 and was ordered to pay £11 in compensation to Solway Caravan Park. He must also pay £85 costs and a £133 victim surcharge.
Prosecutor Pamela Fee explained how Humphries had travelled to the Solway Caravan Park at the end of August for a family break in the summer holidays.
The caravan park by the Cumbrian coast is a popular ‘staycation’ hotspot for visitors, within handy distance to the stunning Lake District National Park.
On August 30 Humphries had a go playing a ‘claw grabber’ arcade game, where you try to move a claw to drop down and grab a cuddly toy – then carry the toy to a chute to drop it down and for you to take home as a prize.
But the court heard Humphries became frustrated playing the game as he later claimed he thought it was faulty or broken.
Ms Fee explained how Cumbria Police received a call from a member of staff at the caravan park who said a male had been caught stealing two teddy bears from a claw machine.
Ms Fee said the defendant stole the teddy bears within five minutes of each other. CCTV footage showed Humphries removing the door and taking the toys.
Humphries was interviewed by police and was “very apologetic”. He said he believed the machine was faulty so removed the goods.
The defendant, who was not legally represented in court, had nothing to say about the offence. He pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by finding – a legal charge meaning you keep property that is not yours.
