A college student who found a mobile phone while out celebrating
his 18th birthday was arrested after handing it in to police.
Teenager Paul Leicester was arrested for 'theft by finding' and detained
for four hours.
The Southport College A-level student eventually had the case against
him withdrawn but said it was a 'shocking experience'.
Paul said: 'Being arrested isn't a way to celebrate your 18th birthday.
What are you supposed to do when you find a phone? I told the last
caller I would drop it off at the police station the next day. But
they arrested me for theft by finding.'
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The teenager was kept by Merseyside Police in Southport police station for four hours and had his fingerprints taken, along with a DNA swab and a photo for police records.
Officers then grilled him for 15 minutes about the alleged 'theft'.
Paul, who is of good character, has a Saturday job at a jewellers and is held in high regard by his teachers.
