Last updated: 04/03/08
University camera sold to pay rent

A media student at the University of Lincoln pawned university equipment in order to pay his rent.

Kevin Robinson, 32, admitted borrowing a camcorder worth over £1,000 and selling it on to Cash Converters for £250 in August last year.

Robinson told Lincoln Magistrates’ Court that he had the intention of buying the camcorder back when he received his student loan, but his loan didn’t arrive in time.

Jeanette Corner, Business Development manager at Cash Converters, said: “We found out the camera was stolen when one of our regulars brought it back into store. She was also a fellow student, so recognised it as belonging to the university straight away.”

Apparently media equipment at the University of Lincoln bears no obvious university markings except for a bar code, which can be easily peeled off.

Robinson, who has since moved to Chester University originally denied the charge, but changed his plea moments before the trial started. The Magistrates gave Robinson a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £100 court costs as well as £150 compensation to Cash Converters.

Media Loans at the university have not commented on the case.