A Norwich shoplifter has seen his scam backfire after being ordered to pay back £560 for items he sold for just £60.

Paul Carruthers, 42, stole dozens of DVDs from HMV on two occasions then almost immediately tried to sell them at a second hand shop just three minutes walk away.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told on January 14 he had walked out of the Chantry Place store with discs worth £355. Just over a week later he returned and stole items valued at almost £240.

READ MORE: DVD thief banned from entering Chantry Place in Norwich

On both occasions he took them to the CeX shop on St Stephen’s Street signing a policy stating the items were his own and receiving a total of just £60 in exchange.

He was later identified from CCTV after staff became suspicious and called the police. 

Carruthers, of Northfields in Norwich, had admitted shop theft and fraud by false representation.

Magistrates ordered him to pay £560 compensation to HMV and undertake a 18 month community order.  

Rob New, mitigating, said he had been "utterly desperate" after losing his benefits due to missing an appointment.