A STANSTED baggage handler who stole more than 300 pairs of women s knickers from passengers luggage has been warned by a judge that he is likely to face a jail term. Tristan Self, 27, of Broadway, Silver End, Witham, was before Chelmsford Crown Court fo

A STANSTED baggage handler who stole more than 300 pairs of women's knickers from passengers' luggage has been warned by a judge that he is likely to face a jail term.

Tristan Self, 27, of Broadway, Silver End, Witham, was before Chelmsford Crown Court for sentence on Thursday after pleading guilty to three charges of theft.

He has admitted stealing in excess of 300 pairs of women's knickers, numerous luggage labels and many luggage locks belonging to Swissport. The offences were said to have occurred over a two year period between April 2004 and March this year.

Defence counsel Gordon Semple asked for the sentencing hearing to be adjourned for a period of time to allow Self to be assessed for his suitability to attend a Thames Valley Sex Programme.

Judge Peter Fenn acceded to the request and told Self, "Both the Probation Service and the North Essex Mental Health Partnership want me to adjourn sentence for a few weeks so an assessment can be carried out of your suitability for a Sex Programme.

"The normal sentence for a baggage handler who steals for passengers' luggage is a sentence of immediate custody. But the sentencing judge should have the maximum possible information about you before making a decision."

Judge Fenn added: "You must not take the fact that I'm adjourning for an assessment as any sort of indication or promise that you are going to escape custody. A custodial sentence is still the most likely outcome of this case."

Self was remanded on bail and sentencing was adjourned until the week commencing August 29.