A Gateshead thief delivered a knockout blow to his nephew – by pinching his prized boxing pendant and chain.
Nathan Danks, 29, lifted the £170 gold coloured item the day after going out for a meal with the youngster and other family members.
It was placed in its box by the boy’s father, who checked it was safe the following morning on his way out to work, a court heard.
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But when he arrived home later it was gone, as was Danks, of Old Fold Road, Old Fold, who was not seen for almost two weeks.
The offence, on Thursday, August 6 at his nephew’s Newcastle home, was labelled “particularly mean and unpleasant” by District Judge Paul Currer.
He fined Danks, who he heard had made cash reparation and been welcomed back into the family fold.
Prosecutor Leanne Duffy told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court : “His nephew and his father, along with the defendant’s sister, had been out.
“When they got home, his father said for him to take the necklace off and place it in a box.
“His father got up to go to work and the pendant was still there. When his father came home at around 4pm, it was missing.
“Nobody saw the defendant again until August 19, when he turned up, asking for money.
“He was asked if he had taken the pendant, and he said yes. He had pawned it.”
Defence solicitor Shaun McFaul said: “When he spoke to his sister about it, he accepted what he had done.
“On the day that it occurred he had taken spice, and he does have mental health issues.
“His mental health issues are such that a month after this, he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and spent seven months sectioned.
“He’s back living with his mum and dad, he’s back in the fold. He says that he has given his mum £150 to replace the item.”
Judge Currer fined Danks, who pleaded guilty to theft in a dwelling, £150, with £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
