PRAM pushing Craig Chapman looked anything but a doting dad as he made his way through a town centre store, a court heard.

Security staff at TK Maxx were so suspicious of his behaviour that they immediately kept him under careful observation as he moved around the premises.

Magistrates at Bury heard that Chapman was seen to load about £100 worth of clothing onto the top of the pram.

Then, moments later, he used his own coat to cover the clothing before leaving the store without making any attempt to pay.

Once outside attempts were made to detain the 29-year-old, but after abandoning the stolen property he made off in a vehicle.

Prosecuting, Dr Roger Woods said that despite apparently making a clean getaway, CCTV cameras had captured the car on film. Details were passed to the police and a short time later it was stopped and he was arrested.

When questioned, Chapman from Borough Avenue, Radcliffe, admitted going to the store specifically to steal. In fact, he had no money on him at the time.

Dr Woods added that Chapman was a persistent offender. As well as having more than 100 previous convictions he had also been on licence following release from prison when he committed the latest offence.

In court Chapman pleaded guilty to theft.

Giving what they described as "one last chance", the magistrates gave Chapman a conditional discharge for 12 months.