A man who was "desperate" for cash after a Universal Credit sanction was caught stealing DVD box sets that he planned to sell.
Peter Giles went into HMV on Blackett Bridge, in Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Newcastle, and took box sets of Downton Abbey, True Detective and Peaky Blinders.
He then took off the wrappers and went to Cash Converters in the city centre to sell them.
However he was caught and charged with theft.
The 49-year-old, of Armstrong Road, Benwell, pleaded guilty to the offence at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court.
Prosecutor Clare Irving said the theft took place at around 5.10pm on September 14.
She added: "The defendant goes in and selects three DVD box sets to the value of £89.97.
"He is then seen taking off the wrappers and goes into Cash Converters to sell the items.
"He said he was planning to sell them, hoping to raise some cash."
The court was told Giles had a previous record of 65 offences, 32 of them were for theft. He was convicted of a public order offence last year, however his last theft offence was in 2014.
John Kirkham, defending, said Giles had been in a "desperate situation" and was trying to raise some cash.
"His last theft matter was five years ago," said Mr Kirkham. "This is an isolated incident.
"He was and remains unemployed, in receipt of Universal Credit. But he had missed a crucial appointment and had been sanctioned.
"He was in a desperate situation and decided to try to steal some items to raise some ready cash.
"It was nothing sophisticated and there was no loss to the company."
Giles was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £21 victim surcharge.
