A charity shop burglar was stopped after he was found to be in possession of 100 latex gloves and torches used during a raid.

Officers responded to the burglary at the Age UK shop in Lewes at 12.25am on Wednesday, May 30.

When they arrived there was no sign of damage or forced entry, but they found a man matching the description in the High Street nearby.

Christopher Ovenden was arrested on suspicion of theft.

At interview an officer asked: “Why do you have a box of 100 latex gloves and several torches?”

“The gloves are for my friend who has itchy hands and the torches are to help me see at night,” he replied.

The unemployed 42-year-old of no fixed address was found to be in possession of a red velvet cushion, women’s jewellery, a President Trump figurine and clothing in a Tesco bag.

These were taken from an outbuilding from the charity, and had not been listed for sale.

Ovenden eventually admitted he had gone to the premises equipped for theft.

He admitted theft at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 14, where he was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge.

Magistrates ordered him to pay £85 court costs and £20 for a victim surcharge, and warned him not to commit any further offences.