A shop-lifter failed to make a clean getaway when he was caught stealing a vacuum cleaner.

Sam Maguire, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to theft from a shop when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, May 7.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said Maguire, 33, simply walked into Lidl, Milford Haven, picked up a cordless vacuum cleaner worth £79.99 and left on February 2.

He was spotted by a member of staff who alerted the store manager.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “The manager followed the defendant out, stopped him and asked for the vacuum back.

“It was given back undamaged, so it can still be resold.”

When interviewed, Maguire stated that he probably would have sold the item to buy tobacco and something to ear.

Mark Layton, defending, said Maguire had made a full and frank admission.

Magistrates fined Maguire £80 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.