A magazine about civil rights seemed so interesting that a man with no money in his pocket claimed he simply had to steal it.

John Pearman landed a 30-day suspended jail sentence after he got caught leaving Lindo's in Devonshire with the $13.75 'Historical Collector's' copy under his arm.

"I took the magazine. I saw the topic, it looked interesting," the 59-year-old told the store's staff when he was apprehended at about noon on February 23, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

According to Crown counsel Brett Webber, Pearman explained his wallet was at home and offered to go and pay for it, before handing back the magazine.

Pearman, an electrician, of Watlington Road, Pembroke, told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner yesterday: "I saw 'civil rights'. I didn't have my wallet, so I took it."

Mr. Warner asked what Pearman thought about the shop's civil rights and said: "You can't just take it," to which Pearman replied: "It was civil rights."

Pearman continued: "I wanted to read it, that issue. That's why I done it."

The Senior Magistrate then listed a string of items Pearman has been convicted of stealing in the past, including Johnny Walker whisky and chips — although Pearman argued he had never stolen chips.

"People want to be discouraged from going into stores and taking things, regardless if they are interested or not. You have been doing this over the years," said Mr. Warner. He said the prison sentence would be suspended for 12 months, meaning it will be activated if Pearman commits any other crimes in that time.

Pearman's explanation for his theft had prompted continuous laughter from other defendants in yesterday's plea court session.

However, Mr. Warner added: "It's no joke. You can't go into stores and take what you want."