A THIEF who stole dozens of belongings from a group of teenage University performers who were performing to crowds at the Sheldonian Theatre has been spared jail.

Ashley Pipkin, of no fixed abode, crept in to the historic Oxford University venue on June 6 after claiming that he needed to use the listed building's toilet facilities.

Oxford Crown Court heard ahead of the sentencing on Thursday how the 30-year old was sent to a downstairs basement by a member of staff.

While inside a group of Oxford University Philharmonia performers were blasting out classics from Bach to Tchaikovsky upstairs.

Instead of using the facilities as promised, Pipkin instead went into a storage room which was filled with the university students' personal belongings.

Among the items stashed in the room during the performance he stole four handbags which belonged to four of the teenage student performers.

Inside the handbags he pinched various items including bank cards, mobile phones as well as ID papers.

Prosecutor John Upton told the court at an earlier hearing that Pipkin used the cards to try and steal cash from an ATM before buying items at Sainsbury's, St Clements, and Tesco, Cowley Road.

He stole goods totalling £47.99 before he was arrested not long after and admitted the theft.

Mr Upton said that Pipkin had been candid with officers and said of his arrest: "Asked if he wanted to see the CCTV he chose not to and said 'there is no point, I done it'."

He added that Pipkin claimed to have 'thrown away' the items and could not recall where they were.

Judge Ian Pringle QC handed him a community order for the theft to last for 24 months.

As part of the community order he was made subject to a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement and 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must also pay a victim surcharge of £85.