'Sad man' escapes prison for panty theft

LONDON (UPI) -- A British judge gave an airport baggage handler who stole 300 pairs of women's panties a probationary sentence, finding him "a sad, but not a bad young man."

Tristan Self, who worked at Stansted Airport near London, got caught after co-workers saw him examining the contents of suitcases, the BBC reported. Police raided his home and found the underpants along with 40 watches.

Self pleaded guilty to theft. His lawyer argued that he suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder after being subjected to bullying at school and at work.

Recorder Christopher Forsyth agreed.

"You acted as you did because of your psychological problems," he told Self. "It is clear that custody would not be an appropriate sentence. You are a sad but not a bad young man."