A tricky thief who used a dummy mobile phone to steal a Blackberry from a High Street pawn shop has vowed to get his life on track.

Shaquel Simpson, 20, visited Cash Converters in Sutton High Street and asked to look at a Blackberry mobile phone on June 20.

When the shop assistant looked away he switched the phone for a dummy replica he had with him and then left with the working phone.

It was only when the shop assistant went to replace the phone they realised what had happened.

Simpson, of Mitcham Lane, Streatham, was arrested in connection with a separate matter in July and police found a replica phone and connected him with the Cash Converters theft.

Representing himself at Croydon Magistrates Court, he denied theft but was found guilty following a trial in October.

He addressed magistrates at the same court before he was sentenced on Monday.

He said: "All I can say is that I'm beginning to take life seriously.

"I'm trying to do a bookmaking course so I can benefit my life.

"This is something I've done and I will reflect on the situation I'm in."

Magistrates ordered Simpson to do 180 hours unpaid work and fined him a total of £310.