A SHOPLIFTER was caught red-handed when the woman he tried to flog stolen goods to alerted shops on Cowdenbeath High Street.

The witness was walking down the High Street when she saw Michael Reddington saying he was selling Christmas gifts.

When they looked in the carrier bag they saw a Ballis and Harding gift set which he said it was worth £40 but would sell for £20.

There was also a No7 foundation in the bag.

The woman then went and informed the manager of Semi-Chem Stores and when they approached Reddington he dropped the carrier bag and walked away.

The shop carried out a stock check that confirmed the set had been stolen.

The witness also alerted Boots and a stock check was also carried out there that established that No7 products had been lost. The police was then contacted by the two shops.

Reddington, 33, of Factory Road, Cowdenbeath, previously admitted that on October 19, 2016 at near to Semi-Chem Stores, High Street, he did resell a quantity of cosmetics the same having been dishonestly appropriated by theft.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court was also told on Wednesday that Reddington had not answered two warrants.

Defence solicitor, Gordon Martin, said although he hadn't responded he hadn't come to the attention of the police during that time.

He said the items were fully recovered.

Sheriff Charles Macnair said it had taken a long time to bring the events to a conclusion but that was entirely down to Reddington's actions.

"I am just about prepared to deal with this by way of community payback order with 18 months supervision," he said.