A CRIMINOLOGY student at Kent University got a close look at the law when he appeared in the dock at Canterbury Crown Court.

Foysol Ali, 19, of Headcorn Drive, Canterbury, had been sent for sentence by Canterbury magistrates after pleading guilty to obtaining property by deception. He was given a two-year community rehabilitation order and told to pay £150 costs.

Judith King, prosecuting, said that Ali had gone into Argos in Canterbury and used a stolen credit card to try to obtain a mobile phone. Staff realised the card was not his and police were called.

He claimed that he had been using the card under duress, that others were threatening him.

Miss King told the court that Ali had three previous convictions for obtaining property by deception.

Oliver Saxby, defending, said that Ali was a first year student at Keynes College at the University of Kent, studying criminology and social policy. The offence had been clumsy and it was always likely Ali would be caught, said Mr Saxby.

Making the rehabilitation order with a condition that he attend a Think First programme, Judge Timothy Nash told Ali: "I don't know why you are here. You are bright enough, intelligent enough to know that this is not the way you should behave. It is thoroughly dishonest."