A SKIPTON man has been handed a curfew for stealing toilet rolls and coins from the paid-for facilities in the town's bus station.

Darren Brewin, who was on a community order at the time, was caught after Craven District Council noticed a drop in takings and installed a CCTC camera, Skipton magistrates heard.

The footage revealed Brewin making up to three trips a day to take coins and toiletries from the locked service cupboard, the court was told.

Brewin, 40, who was recognised by police in the footage, said he had been passing the toilets four months previously and had seen a key left in the service cupboard door.

He admitted taking the key and returning up to eight times to take toiletries and 10p and 20p coins.

The council, which had initially estimated a loss of £750, said between £20 and £30 per week was collected from the toilets and that the cash box was emptied every two weeks in the summer, and once a month in the winter.

When the takings had dropped to up to just £5 a week, a decision had been made to fit a camera.

Brewin, of Belle Vue Terrace, Broughton Road, who admitted theft between February 5 and February 16, had taken the money while subject to a community order imposed in January for dishonesty.

The court was told he had been struggling financially at the time and had taken the toiletries for his own use and the money to buy food. Since then, his life had improved and he was hopeful of getting back with his wife.

Magistrates imposed a four week curfew from 7pm to 7am and ordered him to pay costs of £85 and a victims surcharge of £60.