A CARLISLE student stole figurines and fantasy games kit worth more than £6,000 after becoming addicted to the medieval fantasy game Warhammer.

University of Cumbria biomedical sciences undergraduate Jamie Lane, 24, repeatedly stole from the city’s Warhammer store in Earl’s Lane, carrying out the thefts with an as yet unnamed accomplice.

He admitted nine thefts.

At the city's Rickergate court, prosecutor George Shelley said the defendant was stealing from the end of July last year and early September. The Warhammer shop was targeted by two individuals – the defendant and a second person, said Mr Shelley.

“Both were acting in tandem,” said the prosecutor, pointing out that the two cases had for reasons as yet unexplained been separated.

He said: “On each occasion, both defendants entered the shop, and they were observed on CCTV selecting numerous items such as figurines and placing them into bags before leaving the shop and making no attempt to pay.”

The total value of goods stolen during the nine thefts was £6,523, with the defendant taking goods worth just over £1,000 in one theft alone on September 4.

The prosecutor added: “Following Mr Lane’s arrest, during a search of his premises, Warhammer items worth £3,368 were recovered. That therefore leaves and outstanding loss of £3,154. When he was interviewed, he made admissions.

“Prior to this, he was of good character.”

A probation officer who interviewed the defendant, whose address was given as Greystone Road, Carlisle, said he had been extremely nervous about the possibility of custody.

“He said the nine offences were committed by him at the same store,” said the officer.

Lane said he first met his unnamed co-defendant at the same store and their friendship grew to the point where they began visiting each other.

Lane wanted to develop his hobby but did not have the finances to do so, said the officer. “He needed money for food,” he said. Lane began by stealing paint for the figurines but his stealing increased.

“As his addiction to the game grew so did his stealing from the store,” said the officer. “He is ashamed of what he has done but he didn’t know how he could take the items back… he tried to stop himself, but he didn’t know how to.”

The officer added that the defendant struggled with his mental health and he had been referred to the mental health crisis team. Lane was also in financial difficulty and was living now with and financed by his partner.

The officer added: “He’s suffered depression from the age of 10 due to bullying at school and at 15 he developed PTSD due to bullying and assaults.”

Jeff Smith, defending, said Lane had been unable to obtain his student loan because of a fallout with his parents. “He doesn’t have any money whatsoever,” said the lawyer.

From the dock of the court, the defendant said: “I never wanted any of this. “I was going through a really bad patch.”

He said he had not realised he was entitled to apply for a study loan under rules relating specifically to students estranged from their parents.

Magistrates recognised the defendant – weeping as sentence was passed – was an intelligent person who knew right from wrong but the thefts had happened over and over again. They imposed 16 weeks custody suspended for a year.

The sentence includes ten rehabilitation activity days. Lane must pay compensation of £1,286 at a rate of £5 per week. As the case concluded, the defendant, supported by a friend at court, told magistrates: “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”