A THIEF who stole old golf shoes by smashing a car window was caught and prosecuted after a public-spirited neighbour took pictures of the crime.

Last month the Manchester Evening News published pictures showing the thief smash the rear windscreen of a Citroen Xantia and take the golf shoes.

Owner Esther Griffiths said she was stunned when she went to the vehicle to find the back window smashed and only a pair of her boyfriend's shoes missing.

Esther, 30, was staying with her partner, professional golfer Matthew Wharton, 33, at a flat in Dorsey Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter when the 2am theft happened. Luckily a neighbour captured the incident on video and police identified the thief as Mark Gerrard Golden, 30, of Weaste Lane, Salford.

He admitted a charge of theft from a motor vehicle when he appeared before Manchester magistrates and was fined £200 plus £55 costs and ordered to hand Esther £200 in compensation.

Esther said: "We are obviously very pleased that he was caught from the photos and grateful to our neighbour who took them. But it baffles us still why he would want to take golf shoes. They were pretty worthless.

"He doesn't look desperate to make £10. He's wearing quite nice clothes."