A 17-year-old youth who stole a pair of shoes from a store was caught when he wore the same pair of shoes back to the store the following day.

He appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The court was told that the teen who was charged with simple larceny and possession of an offensive weapon entered the store and asked to see a pair of red Clarks. He told the clerk that a friend of his would be coming to pay for it. When the 'friend' came, he asked to see another pair. When the clerk returned with the shoes, the accused and his friend were long gone.

Returned to store

The following day, the teen returned to the store, dressed in the shoes. The police were called and he was arrested. It is alleged that under caution, he told the arresting officer: "Mi only work $500 a week and mi did want a shoes fi wear go a red-and-white party."

After some probing by Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown, it was revealed that the accused was a marijuana smoker. He also said that he did not do any subjects in high school, except the "free government subjects". Senior RM Brown told him: "Ganja mash up yu brain already."

The accused is to appear in the Family Court next Tuesday for sentencing.