A CHARITY crook who stole up to £35 from an RNLI fundraising tin must pay it all back.

Steven Wright, 47, admitted to taking the lifeboat charity box at Harwich Tattoo Studio when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Kathy Wilson, prosecuting, explained he regularly visited the shop, in West Street, and has known the owner for 30 years.

The box had been there for about a year as the tattooist has supported the RNLI for the past eight years.

She told the court: “On May 28, he became aware the box had been taken.

“He hadn’t realised until a while later and when he checked the CCTV, the defendant had come into the shop that day.

“He wrapped the box in his hoody, picked up his walking stick and left the shop.”

She said: “Sometimes the defendant borrows a couple of pounds from the owner.

“That day, he asked to use the phone and to borrow some money but the owner couldn’t give him any.”

Wright, also of West Street, Harwich, said there was only £7 in the box, which the owner disputes. Defending himself, he said: “I took it because I had no food and no means to get any.

“There are food banks but only on certain days.”

Magistrates deliberated his sentence given he has 15 previous convictions and 29 offences, some relating to theft.

Wright has been ordered to repay £35 to RNLI and pay £85 court costs.