A young diabetic spent a night in the cells after stealing a box of magnum ice creams on one of the hottest days of the year. 

Unemployed Joseph Williams, 21, of St Helier Avenue, Rosehill, was caught after stuffing a three pack of the white sugary delights into the back of his shorts in the Rosehill Co-op yesterday lunchtime.  

William's sticky fingers landed him in the heat when police on patrol saw him biting into the bar as he walked away from the shop. 

When he saw police nearby, Williams ducked into the nearest shop - a chemist's - but police waited for him outside and arrested him on suspicion of theft.

Police are familiar with the diabetic's handy work as Croydon Magistrates Court heard today how he had previous convictions for theft.

After police looked at CCTV footage and saw Williams conceal the box in his shorts, the 21-year-old was remanded in custody overnight and appeared in court this morning.

Williams told the court he was in desperate need of a sugar fix and had no money to buy anything. 

The court heard how the young thief had only eaten one of the bars and thrown the other two away. 

He told the court: "I think it is pretty pathetic I am here to be honest."

The court heard how Williams had no income and was not receiving any benefits because he did not have a passport, a birth certificate or any identification.

Chairwoman of the bench, Mrs Angela Glancy, told Williams: "You have to help yourself."

Magistrates said as Williams had served a night in prison, the £25 fine would be wiped from the records