AN UNEMPLOYED man stole almost £300 worth of Pokemon trading card packs from Oasis — just days after completing a year's probation for shoplifting — an Isle of Wight court was told.

Alex Cooper, of George Street, Ryde, admitted shoplifting at the store near Brading on consecutive days, when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court, Newport, on Tuesday.

He stole 21 Pokemon packs, worth £237, on February 25, which were not recovered, and one pack, worth £40, which was. 

Pokemon is a trading card hobby, popular around the world.

Cooper, 23, had earlier that month completed a year's probation, handed to him by Island magistrates on February 2 last year — again, for shoplifting, said Ann Smout, prosecuting.

It included him having to do 80 hours' unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation sessions.

For Cooper, Michael McGoldrick said his client had made candid admissions to the police.

Cooper had successfuly completed his probation order and an apprenticeship in engineering, but had ironically turned down work opportunities because he was better off on the dole, Mr McGoldrick explained.

Magistrates ordered Cooper to pay Oasis £237 compensation and made him subject to another year-long probation order, during which time he is required to do a further 100 hours' unpaid work.

Presiding magistrate, Gordon Cooper, said: "We can understand, in a weird way, it's harder to work than not because of the financial situation you are in.

"Our concern is that despite the financial position you were in, it doesn't justify you stealing Pokemon cards, because they don't resolve any issues of heating, food and the like.

"They smack more of a currency than a necessity.    

"Congratulations on doing the apprenticeship, but the longer your criminal record gets, the less opportunity you're going to have to put it into use. Employers will not look favourably at you."