A 12-YEAR-OLD boy who was caught shoplifting at a Darlington store was told to do so by his mother's boyfriend, a court heard yesterday.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stole an exhaust repair kit and a pair of gloves from Halfords, in Darlington, at the man's request, Darlington Magistrates' Court was told.

The court heard that the boy, from Darlington, had been helping the man to fix a car before he was asked to go and steal the repair kit.

Derek Walton, prosecuting, said the boy was seen by a member of staff taking the kit and gloves and leaving without paying before he was stopped and the goods were recovered.

He added that the boy had no previous convictions.

Laura Saunders-Jerome, mitigating, said: "He is just 12 years old and on the day in question he was fixing a car with his mum's boyfriend.

"He has indicated to me it was his mum's boyfriend who told him to go and pinch the repair kit from Halfords," she said.

He saw a pair of cycling gloves in Halfords while he was there and, on the spur of the moment, decided to take them as well to sell at school, she said.

She said that when he was caught with the goods, he apologised and handed them back.

The incident took place on November 27.

Aileen Little, chairman of the bench, said the fact that he had been asked to steal the goods by an adult was one of the most worrying aspects of the case.

"This bench is concerned, particularly with the person who is not here, an older person encouraging you to do things that are wrong, that you know are wrong.

"You do have to be strong sometimes when you know what is right and wrong.

"It is almost the worst part of the offence."

The defendant, who pleaded guilty to a theft charge, was given a three-month referral order.