Man fined after stealing from breastfeeding mum

The man appeared to be drunk, said the prosecution

A 52-year-old man has been fined after admitting stealing luggage from a mother while she breastfed her daughter at Gatwick Airport.

John Brooks, from Brighton Road, Crawley, pleaded guilty to stealing a suitcase and a child's backpack on 30 October.

He also admitted causing criminal damage worth £88.30 after breaking a security barrier with his head as he escaped with the luggage.

Brooks was fined £388.30 at Crawley Magistrates Court - £300 as compensation to the victim, and the rest for damaging the barrier.

'Opportunistic crime'

The mother-of-two went into the baby care room of Gatwick Airport's south terminal to feed her younger daughter.

Prosecutor Amy Fraser said she could not bring her belongings into the room due to how it was laid out.

Brooks, who appeared drunk, then arrived and stood by her luggage trolley for a "short time" before taking it, the court heard.

Ms Fraser said the 52-year-old fled through the taxi area to the car park exit, using his head to move the barrier which bent and broke.

The prosecution called it an "opportunistic crime" and said the luggage was later recovered and returned.

In a victim impact statement, the mother said she now felt "insecure" in public and her older daughter had become fearful.

She said: "What happened has changed the way we feel in public spaces, the way we travel and the way my daughter sees the world around her."

Brooks has 37 previous convictions for 72 offences, 42 of which relate to theft.