A thief claimed he stole more than £100 in festive gifts from a pharmacy to help out his pal who owed money to the wrong people.

Tommy Beech was identified by CCTV footage after he’d stolen various Christmas gift sets from the Boots store in Gravesend.

The 26-year-old entered the chemist at the St Georges Centre on October 31 with his pal.

He was seen on the footage selecting a number of gift sets before walking around the store on his phone and then leaving without making any attempt to pay.

After the theft was discovered and the store’s CCTV was reviewed, Beech was recognised by a member of staff who worked there and the matter was reported to police.

Beech, of Church Street, Rochester, was interviewed and later charged with shoplifting.

He admitted the offence when he appeared in the dock at Medway Magistrates’ Court on May 8.

Debbie Jones, prosecuting, said: “He took a selection of Christmas gift sets valued in excess of £100 and walked about the store for a while on the phone and then left without paying.

“The CCTV was reviewed and he was recognised by a member of staff.”

Toby Burrough, defending, told the court Beech still lived at home with his mum and was single and that his friend had been in a desperate situation and had suggested he knew people who would buy the stolen goods.

He added: “He asked him to help him take them and he did as he didn’t want his friend to be beaten up (because he owed the cash).

“It was a one-off, he’s not been in trouble before.”

Magistrates placed Beech on a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered he pay £100 compensation to Boots and a victim surcharge of £26.

It was never mentioned during the hearing if Beech’s friend had ever been identified or charged with any offence in relation to the incident.