A MAN has been sentenced for stealing a valuable coat from a high street store before assaulting a female healthcare professional.

Ryan Palmer, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to stealing a coat valued at £199.99 belonging to TK Maxx on Stricklandgate in Kendal when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on September 26.

The 46-year-old old also admitted to assaulting a healthcare professional working in Kendal police custody, who was acting in the exercise of her functions on September 27, as well as damaging a keyboard to an unknown value on the same day in question.

In court on September 28, Palmer received a 12-month community order with one requirement of completing 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay the full amount of the coat stolen back to TK Maxx.

No order for costs or compensation to the healthcare professional were made by magistrates.