(Image: Getty)

A thief who shoved a woman aside to steal her 55-inch TV after letting himself into her home has appeared in court.

Jack McConnell used a key to enter the woman’s home while looking for his Xbox and jacket, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 21-year-old threw a key at the woman, pushed her aside and escaped from her Middlesbrough home with the £400 TV.

McConnell, of no fixed abode, admitted theft and assault by beating committed on September 9, 2025. The prosecution also offered evidence on a burglary charge.

His barrister, Tom Bennett, said McConnell had never been in trouble with the law before.

He said: “It has been a distressing experience for him and one that he doesn’t want to go through again.”

Judge Richard Clews gave McConnell a 12-month conditional discharge.

He said: “This was not a sensible way to behave and I’m sure you recognise that and wished you had acted differently on the day.

“If you had, you more than likely wouldn’t have been here or any other court at all.

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“Initially, you were charged with robbery because it was so serious, it could only come to the Crown Court.

“I don’t know the full ins and outs of what your relationship was with this young lady, but, clearly, you were known to her.

“She doesn’t appear to have been surprised or perturbed for you to be at her address. You were collecting some of your items but one of the things appears not to have been available and you took the television.

“This is a case where two wrongs don’t make it right - you simply made the wrong decision.”