A MAN has been let off after a judge heard he was handed stolen property by Cleveland Police.

Judge Peter Fox QC told Teesside Crown Court yesterday that it was regrettable 27-year-old Steven Shepherd was prosecuted at all.

The court heard how Shepherd had called at Stockton police station to collect items seized when his home was searched seven months earlier.

They included a £150 games computer and a £180 camera which did not belong to him. He had spent three months in custody on remand before being given a probation and community service combination order for handling the stolen goods.

Prosecutor Michael Bosomworth said: "Sadly, wires appear to have been crossed by the police, who released these two items back to Shepherd along with his own possessions. By the time they found him again, he said he had been burgled and the two items were missing."

Tim Roberts, defending, objected to an application for the owners of the computer and camera to be recompensed by Shepherd.

He said: "They have a perfectly good action against the police for compensation."

Judge Fox said: "When the police mistakenly returned these items, you dishonestly hung on to them.

"It is surprising to me that you have been prosecuted, even though you admitted theft. It strikes me as being heavy-handed and regrettable. The only proper sentence in these circumstances is an absolute discharge, which is not a sentence at all."

The judge told Shepherd, of Northcote Street, Stockton: "It seems to me that the police should compensate the owners of the computer and camera."

A Cleveland Police spokesman said later: "It is regrettable that this has occurred and, having regard to the judge's comments, we will be looking at our procedures.