A FORMER Welshpool man who ripped off a Ring camera doorbell ‘for a joke’ has been fined by magistrates for the offence.

Daniel White, 26 and formerly of The Foundry, in Welshpool, appeared via video link from his new home in Swansea to plead guilty to one count of theft.

Magistrates heard from CPS prosecutor Helen Trench that on August 17, a camera belonging to Louise Evans on her front door was covered and then removed.

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Mrs Tench said that the victim received updates to her phone from the camera, which was operated by a motion sensor, and at around 11.30pm on the night in question, she saw the defendant’s face close up.

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He then covered it and she returned home to see the doorbell was not in its place and reported it to police who identified White.

He was arrested and in interview told police ‘yeah I did it…it was a joke’.

In mitigation, defence solicitor Owain Jones told the court that while his client said this, he was keen to show that the doorbell was only moved but not sold or damaged.

He said his client acknowledged he would have to pay compensation to the victim and that he had recently been fined in court.

Chairman of the bench Stephen Pembroke, on sentencing White, said: “Your record isn’t that great, considering you were here quite recently.

“This time we will go with a fine but next time I think someone will want you to sit down with probation.

“To do this as a prank on someone else isn’t much fun for them.

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“I suggest you don’t get up to any of these pranks in future.”

White was fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £85 plus £48 for the victim surcharge,

He will also pay his victim £150 in compensation – all will be added to his current fines account.