A thief who stole scented candles and two packs of beer from a convenience store spent 30 hours in custody before he was hauled before the courts and shown his crimes on CCTV.

But when James Naylor eventually went in front of magistrates he told them he couldn’t remember stealing the items.

The court heard the 28-year-old had walked into the One Stop convenience store in Watling Street, Chatham, picked up two scented candles and two packs of four-pack beers and left the store without paying.

Naylor was shouted at by a member of staff to return and pay, but he left with the £30 loot on August 5.

Naylor, of Maidstone Road, Chatham, was arrested over the matter the morning before his court appearance at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on September 9, and appeared in the dock from the cells where he admitted shoplifting.

Rajni Prashar, prosecuting, said: “It was about 5.30pm that day [August 5].

“A shop worker shouted for him to stop, but he didn’t return and the theft was caught on CCTV and he was identified by officers.

“During interview, he said he was struggling for money. He has no previous convictions.”

Oliver Dean, defending, told the court his client had no memory of the incident.

Mr Dean added: “He was surprised he has no memory of committing the offence, but he was shown the CCTV and is rather embarrassed.

“He’s been in custody for 30 hours as he was arrested yesterday morning.”

Magistrates had decided to make him pay £30 for the cost of the items he stole, but because he spent so long in custody before his hearing they said he didn’t have to pay the amount as they would take it as time served.

It was never stated during the hearing why Naylor couldn’t remember stealing the items.