Scam man struck at three Tideswell shops

Wayne Lowe used a scam called ‘ringing the changes’ to claim back more change than he was entitled to, High Peak Magistrates’ Court heard this month. He went into the Co-op and the Post Office on May 1 and used a note to pay for items, telling staff he had handed over more money than he had, so he would be given more change, prosecutor John Cooper said. He struck at Peaches fruit and vegetable shop, and later attempted to do it again in the same shop on June 4 but staff recognised him. In total, he stole £50.

The 45-year-old, of Kingsway South, Warrington, admitted theft and attempted theft. Annis Rowlands, defending, said has an entrenched record of offending with the misuse of drugs. He was given a 12-month community order and a curfew. He must pay £100 costs, a £60 surcharge and £50 compensation.