A MAN who stole 14 pairs of flip-flops worth more than £500 from a city centre store has walked free from court.

Ryan Blackmore, aged 21, who admitted taking the shoes with three accomplices, was put on an electronically-monitored curfew for two months.

Plymouth magistrates had originally deferred sentence for two months to see whether Blackmore could keep out of trouble and keep appointments with probation officers and psychiatric services.

Blackmore, of Greenbank Road, admitted theft of a bottle of cider worth £1.99 from the Co-op store in Peverell Park Road on March 1.

He also admitted theft of 14 pairs of flip-flops worth £544 from Free Spirit in New George Street on May 15.

Eoin McCarthy, prosecuting, said that the shop manager at the clothes shop watched as four men picked up the flip-flops and ran off. Blackmore was recognised by police officers from CCTV footage.

But the shoes were not recovered.

Stephen Walker, for Blackmore, said that he had kept out of trouble for two months.

He added that Blackmore had mental health difficulties.

Magistrates imposed the curfew and ordered that he pay £120 compensation to Free Spirit and £1.99 to the Co-op.