Thief smashed his way into bridal shop and stole two dozen wedding dresses in 'pointless' break-in after New Year's Eve boozing session

A thief smashed his way into a bridal shop and stole two dozen wedding dresses after a New Year’s Eve boozing session. Nigel De-Jesus, 44, said he had no explanation for committing the ‘bizarre’ and ‘pointless’ crime at Deborah Bayan's Design Studio store in Stockport.

His mother called Ms Bayan after recognising her son on CCTV footage circulated following the shocking incident. De-Jesus made three trips to the store and back after smashing the front window, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

He has now been ordered to pay thousands of pounds in compensation after being hauled before a judge. Prosecutor April Lamai told how Ms Bayan had left her store locked and secure on December 29, only to be informed on New Year’s Day morning that a burglar had struck. She collected CCTV footage of the thief and after circulating it online, De-Jesus’ mother called Ms Bayan to tell her the burglar was her son.

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The dresses which he had stolen were hidden in bin bags which were found in the loft of De-Jesus’ mother’s home. In total, about 25 dresses were stolen, as well as other items. Some of the dresses were recovered but were in a damaged state.

Ms Bayan had to fork out more than £17,000 in order to find replacement dresses for brides who were tying the knot in the coming weeks. The court heard she has been compensated by her insurers.

De-Jesus, who lives in France and was staying with relatives in the UK for Christmas, called police and confessed. After leaving for France following the festive break, he returned to the UK and was arrested.

During an interview with police, De-Jesus said he’d been out in the pub on