A MAN’S dream holiday turned into a nightmare when police arrested him after he arrived back in the UK.

Anthony Wint, of Woodfield Court, Edgerton, appeared before Kirklees magistrates yesterday.

He was arrested in London after he jetted off to Jamaica instead of attending court.

Wint then went on to spend the best part of a week in custody – because of Olympics travel chaos.

Unlucky Wint, 42, had been bailed by police to attend court on June 23.

He had stolen goods twice from the Huddersfield branch of Wilkinson’s.

The thefts on June 4 and 20 were worth a total of £58.

Wint was only caught when on July 10 he returned to the New Street store and was recognised by a security guard.

He admitted stealing the items and was bailed by police. Wint then told officers that he was planning a holiday and would be out of the country until July 26.

But Neil Murphy, mitigating, said that despite this he was warned to be in court three days before he was due back.

He said: “Police seem to act like automatons, if you say I’m not going to be in the country they say tough.

“Mr Wint told them that he had a pre-booked holiday abroad. He landed back at Gatwick Airport, police arrested him and was taken to a police station in Surrey.

“Due to the Olympics the transport system had ground to a halt so he spent the equivalent of a week in custody.”

Wint had snapped: ‘Do you want my telephone number as well?’ when he was asked to confirm his personal details to magistrates from the secure dock.

Mr Murphy added: “He’s a little distressed because he’s been in custody.”

He said that his client would have lost £1,000 had he not gone on the trip to see his relatives.

Magistrates ordered Wint to pay £58 compensation for the thefts and £85 court costs.

They said his time in detention would serve as punishment for failing to surrender to the court.