A MAN convicted of stealing a chameleon from an Isle of Wight pet shop claimed he only noticed he had the exotic lizard when amazed shoppers pointed-out it was sitting on his head, a court was told.

Mark Wilson, 52, of Green Street, Ryde, admitted stealing the £225 baby chameleon from Wight Vipers in Ryde High Street when he appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates today (Tuesday).

The theft on August 29 was captured on CCTV when Wilson was seen to remove the lizard from its tank and left the shop without paying for the animal.

When police visited his home, it was found in his bedroom in a box on the windowsill and its owner confirmed it was the one that had been stolen, said Ann Smout prosecuting.

Wilson admitted to the theft but had a different version of events.

He said he had been in the shop, went to the tank and opened it to play with the lizard.

He said it had gone on to his arm and later realised it had crawled up the back of his neck to his head. He said he wanted to keep it as a pet.

For Wilson, Barry Arnett, said the case was 'very unusual.'

Mr Arnett said: "He is adamant he went into the shop with no intention to steal anything.

"By the time he left the shop, he was not aware it was on his person.

"He was walking up the street and people were pointing at him and saying it was on his head."

Mr Arnett added Wilson took the animal home, made a little box for it and did some research into what the exotic pets ate and went to buy crickets to feed it.

He said: "He did not go out with the intention of stealing anything, particularly a chameleon."

Magistrates fined Wilson £80 for the theft and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.