CITY magistrates failed to see the 'bunny side' when two Ross-on-Wye men appeared in front of them charged with stealing a set of toy rabbits, writes RICHARD WILSON.

The cuddly toys were found in the possession of Shaun Michael Bruton and Carl Wayne Hutton when stopped by police in Monmouth.

The court heard how the shoplifters also had a Woody Woodpecker soft toy and rucksack with them, items for which they could not produce receipts.

Hutton pleaded guilty to taking the goods and asked for the thefts to be taken into consideration. Bruton denied any involvement in taking the childish items and the case against him was dropped.

But both men, who live at the same address in River View, Ross, admitted to a string of other petty thefts.

Among goods stolen were a Manchester United quilt cover from Birthdays, toiletries from Kwik Save, deodorant from Safeway and carpets from Lansons in Ross.

Hutton, aged 23, also pleaded guilty to stealing some expensive rings from his brother, driving without insurance, driving without due care and attention and obstructing a policewoman.

Sentencing the pair to six months imprisonment, the magistrates said 'the public needed protecting' and 'custody was the only solution.'

Hutton was given a £360 fine for the driving offences and had his licence endorsed with seven points.