STAFF gave chase when shoplifter, Josh Earwaker, ran out of Boots the chemist in Ely without paying for a £100 razor on Thursday. Although they lost Earwaker, 20, of Church Lane, Little Downham he was captured on CCTV camera, a court heard. And just an ho

STAFF gave chase when shoplifter, Josh Earwaker, ran out of Boots the chemist in Ely without paying for a £100 razor on Thursday.

Although they lost Earwaker, 20, of Church Lane, Little Downham he was captured on CCTV camera, a court heard.

And just an hour later he was stopped by police driving a car while disqualified and without insurance along Ely's Nutholt Lane.

Earwaker appeared before Ely Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he admitted theft, driving while disqualified and without insurance and breaching a conditional discharge imposed for theft just six weeks earlier.

Mitigating Adam Hazlehurst told the court that Earwaker returned the stolen razor to Boots later that day.

He added that Earwaker had bought his car intending to "play about with it and do it up."

But his friend had borrowed the car and taken it to Ely and Earwaker had no way of getting home without driving.

"He has been living with his grandmother," said Mr Hazlehurst, "but she is moving to New Zealand on April 14 and my client may be homeless."

Chairman of the Magistrates, Mary Rhone, warned Earwaker that he could be facing a prison sentence for the offences.

She told him: "These are very serious offences. Custody has to be an option."

The case was adjourned until April 25 for pre-sentence reports.