Poppy tin thief sees CCTV pictures and surrenders

Darren Bason was seen waiting to be served before and after the tin went missing

A man has admitted stealing a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal tin from a Northampton supermarket.

Darren Bason, 43, was shown on CCTV footage at a counter in the Asda store on Harborough Road before and after the tin went missing.

He pleaded guilty to theft at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Thursday after surrendering to police.

He said he had seen the CCTV pictures on social media. He will return to the court for sentencing on 9 December.

He was granted unconditional bail while pre-sentencing reports were compiled.

The box went missing at about 22:15 GMT on 30 October.

The Poppy Appeal box can be seen to the left of Darren Bason as he waits at the cigarette counter

As Darren Bason leaves, the collection tin appears to have gone missing