A MAN has been cleared of stealing £8 in loose change from an unlocked car in Skipton after magistrates heard there was insufficient evidence to link him to the theft.

Vincent Hawkins, 40, was challenged by the owner of the car the day after the coins went missing and had answered he had been 'benzo'd up' at the time and had not known what she was talking about, heard Skipton Magistrates Court.

The alleged victim claimed in court she had taken that as an admission and that Hawkins had then started taking money out of his pocket and begged her not to tell the police.

But, John Mewies, in defence, said Hawkins had answered honestly that his client had not known what he had been doing when the money had gone missing and denied theft.

He added that Mr Hawkins was not liked by everyone on the estate where he lived.

The court heard that CCTV footage had been obtained by the police in relation to the theft, which had happened on September 11 last year, but that the wrong footage had been presented on the day of the trial.

In a statement, the officer who had studied the footage, said although someone could be seen entering the car, it was not possible to clearly identify his face.

Magistrates told Hawkins, of North Parade, Skipton, there was insufficient evidence to link him with the theft and found him not guilty.