A 22-year-old Chelmsford man has been cleared of shoplifting in a case of mistaken identity.
Barry Dove, of George Street, denied and was acquitted of theft by a jury at the end of a two day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.
The court heard that on August 1 2001 an off-duty security guard was window shopping outside the Argos store in Clacton.
He looked through the window and saw a man select nine sports bags, worth a total of £186, and place them into a carrier bag. Without making any attempt to pay the man left the store and sprinted up the street.
The prosecution had alleged that the man was Dove, but the defence persuaded the jury it was a case of mistaken identification.
Dove denied the offence and was discharged.
Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002
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