CHESTER’S ‘balloon man’ has admitted helping a friend steal a high-value bicycle in the city centre.

Benjamin Lumsden, of Stratford Gardens, Blacon, pleaded guilty to theft during a hearing at Chester Magistrates Court today (Thursday, June 21).

The 52-year-old, who has 18 previous convictions for 41 offences, was sentenced to a 12-month community order to include a £120 fine and rehabilitation activity of up to 35 days.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and compensation of £800 – half the value of the stolen bike.

Lumsden can often be seen in the area of Eastgate Street dressed in clown garb and handing balloon animals to youngsters.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Rob Youds said that around 4.40pm on June 8 this year the victim returned to the bike racks on St Werburgh Street to see two men trying to steal his bicycle.

One man, wearing a straw hat, had used bolt cutters on the security chain and rode off on the bike, worth £1,600.

The victim gave chase in vain, and when he returned to the scene of the theft he saw the other culprit, Lumsden, had disappeared.

The court heard that the main thief was now back in prison and would be charged with stealing the bike upon his release.

In police interview, Lumsden denied stealing the bicycle but went on to enter a guilty plea after being charged.

CCTV footage clearly showed the first man park his own bike next to the expensive one and produce bolt cutters from a rucksack.

After he rode off, chased by the victim, Lumsden is seen picking up the rucksack with the bolt cutters inside and riding off on the first man’s bike.

Howard Jones, defending, said his client had not been in trouble since 2015 when he appeared in court for non-payment of a train fare.

Lumsden has experienced “difficulties with drugs” for a period of time and was taking methadone to help combat a heroin addiction.

Mr Jones told the court that the defendant had only picked up the rucksack after the theft out of a sense of “misguided loyalty” to his friend.

“This offence is not something that was planned as far as Mr Lumsden is concerned,” the solicitor said. “The bike that he rode off on was actually his bike.”

He also said his client had been surprised when he was told the value of the bike that was stolen.

“He assisted his friend rather than being involved in the initial idea of stealing this item,” Mr Jones said.