A DETECTIVE from Lichfield, who was in Kidderminster on other business, chased and arrested a thief he saw running away from the Sainsbury's Homebase store.

DC Nigel Powell had seen 19-year-old John Porter break away from a store detective, drop a stolen wood plane and run off, said Alex Warren, prosecuting at Kidderminster.

Porter, of Balmoral Court, Chester Road North, Kidderminster, was sentenced to 48 hours of community work and told to pay £100 costs.

He admitted stealing the £19 plane and breach of a work order imposed for earlier offences.