A THIEVING son stole his mother's £500 TV from her Port Glasgow home and sold it to Cash Generator for a tenth of its original value.

Michael Joyce, 30, pinched the 37-inch screen while his mum was away for a few days because he was 'desperate', Greenock Sheriff Court was told.

When his mother returned to her house and asked where her television was, Joyce replied: "You'll get it back."

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife told the court that Joyce was living at the property on Rannoch Gardens at the time of the offence in February last year.

Fiscal depute Ms Scaife said: "His mother was absent from the house between February 15 and 22.

"When she left everything was in order and the accused was the only person left in the property.

"His mother returned on February 22 and found her 37-inch black LG TV to be missing.

"She asked the accused where it was and he stated, 'You'll get it back, flip sake'."

Fiscal depute Ms Scaife added: "The accused's mother contacted the police and officers attended at the Cash Generator shop in Greenock's West Blackhall Street.

"They spoke to the manager who confirmed that the accused had attended on February 21 and traded a 37-inch TV for £50.

"The [original] value of the TV was £500.

"The manager agreed for the TV to be returned to the accused's mother.

"On being cautioned and charged the accused stated, 'Sorry, I'll pay Cash Generator back if my mum has got the telly'."

Defence lawyer Gerry Keenan said: "Mr Joyce still enjoys good relations with his mother.

"He ran out of money and in desperation carried out this stupid act."

Sheriff Sheena Fraser told Joyce: "Despite the fact that your mum got the TV back you'll understand the seriousness of stealing from a family member like that."

Joyce has been given a year to complete 50-hour community payback order and told to pay Cash Generator £50 compensation.