A trainee barber stole a police officer's jacket that had been left in a barn after a police surveillance operation.
David Harrison, 43, appeared before Oxford Crown Court on November 15 and admitted stealing the jacket from Four Winds Farm, Shipton-under-Wychwood, on July 1 this year.
He also admitted burglary of a locked garage in Calthorpe Street, Banbury, in November 1998. Tools worth £750 were taken.
Matthew Walsh, prosecuting, said the leather jacket remained in the barn after police surveillance unrelated to Harrison.
Ed Walters, defending, said Harrison, of The Fairway, Banbury, had been studying hairdressing while in prison on remand and deserved a non-custodial sentence to pursue this career in Rugby. He said Harrison had not had such a punishment in his long criminal career since 1984.
Judge Christopher Compston imposed a 12-month community rehabilitation order.
He warned Harrison: "If things go wrong in the future, this is an opportunity that you probably won't get again."
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