A man who stole £180 worth of perfume from Boots so he could make some money for Christmas pleaded guilty at South Western Magistrates Court yesterday.

Richard Symmons, 20, from Hawthorn Crescent, Tooting, went in to the store in Replingham Road on November 12, picked up a large amount of perfume, and walked out with it under his arm.

He was arrested later that day after being seen close by with the stolen items, and a six-inch knife was found on him during a police search.

Symmons, who has three children with his ex-partner, told police he stole the perfume to sell so he could make some money for Christmas.

He said he had the knife on him to cut his hair. He had a closely cropped style in the dock.

He pleaded guilty to theft and possession of a blade, and a third charge of failing to come to court at his last scheduled appearance on November 21.

Symmons, who has previous convictions for shoplifting and criminal damage, was remanded in custody.

He is due to be sentenced on Wednesday.