THE WORLD'S MOST STUPID SHOPLIFTER

SHOPKEEPER Kay Parkin was devastated when police failed to find the teenage thief who stole a necklace and earrings from her wedding accessories store.

She decided she would have to catch him herself - and bought a disposable camera just in case she ever saw him again.

Amazingly, six weeks later the man she says is the thief returned to her store - and Kay, 41, tricked him into having his picture taken. She has handed the photo to police and used it on posters to warn fellow-traders in Gorseinon, South Wales, about the shoplifter.

Kay, who runs the West End Wedding Shop, said: "The first time he suddenly swore, saying he'd left his money in his car and to hold on, he'd be back.

"When he'd gone, my son Tom told me he had seen him take the pounds 40 necklace set from the display. I ran after him but he had gone.

"Weeks later he returned using the same line about cash. I picked up the camera, told him I didn't think it was working and could I try it out on him. He posed while I took his picture. Then I told him I recognised him and was calling police. His face was a picture as he fled." South Wales police refused to comment on Kay's poster - but warned it could be illegal.

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