A FORMER drag artist stole flowers and wreaths from a cemetery to save poorer families money, a Court was told.

Former member of the Dolly Boys drag act, Sydney Walsworth, a self-employed florist, was caught stealing the arrangements on a security camera. But he escaped a jail sentence as he cares his 93-year-old mother.

Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, described how cemetery worker Robert Brown had rigged up the CCTV cameras after he noticed flowers left by mourners were missing.

She said footage showed Walsworth, 59, of Great Horton Road, Bradford, pulling up in his car and stealing bouquets and arrangements - one which spelt out the word 'mum'.

A value of £250 was put on his first haul and the second estimated at between £50 and £150.

Defending Walsworth, Philip Sweeney conceded the distressing nature of the crimes. "This is the type of offence which can only

be described as deplorable," he said.

However, Mr Sweeney said the former owner of a gay pub, who sold the flowers on in his shop, had wished to save people money and believed the bouquets would only be discarded anyway.

He said: "It certainly was not Walsworth's intention to cause grief and distress to already

grieving families."

Mr Sweeney also said in his defence that Walsworth had already been 'pilloried' in the national press.

Walsworth yesterday pleaded guilty at Leeds Magistrates Court, to two counts of theft at Rawdon Cemetery on December 20 last year and January 11 this year.

He also asked for four similar offences to be taken into

consideration.

Deputy District Judge Broadley rejected Walsworth's almost Robin Hood-like defence.

He said, in his summing up: "It has been put to me that it was almost a service to the community that you were stealing them and selling them at a cheaper rate.

"I do not believe that it was not for your own personal gain.

"The offences before me are deplorable."

Walsworth was spared a

custodial sentence as he is the

sole carer for his 93-year-old mother.

Judge Broadly said: "If it was not for your mother you would be going to prison today.

"You do not deserve my sympathy but I am taking into account your mother's position."

He was given two concurrent three-month prison sentences, suspended for one year, and told to pay £40 costs.