A THIEF who stole a laptop and £80 from a man with Down's Syndrome has been jailed.

Christopher Hale, 21, formerly of St Budeaux, had earlier admitted theft.

Nigel Hall, prosecuting, said that on July 25, 2008, the victim, in his early 50s, bought a second-hand laptop for £100 and went into the Noah's Ark pub for a drink to celebrate, though he was not drunk.

He walked towards St Andrew's Cross Post Office where one of three men called to him. Hale accused him of being drunk, and the victim walked a straight line to prove he wasn't. He was then challenged to do it with his eyes shut, which he did after putting down the laptop case containing the computer and £80. Hale then grabbed the case and ran off with it.

Iain Leadbetter, defending, said Hale, had described the theft as 'despicable', was deeply ashamed and realised the computer – which was never recovered – was of great value to his victim.

Judge Ian Leeming QC told Hale the loss of the computer had caused the victim considerable distress and jailed Hale for 13 months – eight for the theft, one for a separate count of possessing a knuckleduster and four months for a suspended sentence breach. He made no order to pay compensation or costs.