A MAN has been ordered to pay £175 after stealing a tracksuit in Reading town centre.

Anthony Bloomfield, 46, of Caversham Road, Reading pleaded guilty to one count of shoplifting at Reading Magistrates’ Court yesterday (December 9).

It comes after Bloomfield stole a tracksuit worth £175 from JD Sports in Broad Street on November 17 this year.

The theft happened at around 5.30pm that day.

Bloomfield was arrested on Friday, December 8 and charged the same day.

At the court hearing Bloomfield was ordered to pay £175 in compensation.

Investigating officer PC Vince Moore, one of the neighbourhood officers for Reading town centre, based at Reading police station, said: “Shoplifting has had a significant impact in Reading and the Thames Valley.

“It is far from being a victimless crime and businesses suffer great financial loss from such offending, and in the case for which Bunce has been convicted, he has caused the store not just financial loss, but also causing huge inconvenience and anguish to the store and their staff, who are targeted on a regular basis.

“We know that shoplifting is a massive issue, and we are absolutely committed tackling retail crime and supporting the business community in our town.

“I hope this conviction will ensure others who feel it’s acceptable to take what is not theirs to reconsider their actions, as we will pursue you, charge you and put you before the courts to face justice."