Prolific shoplifter jailed in time for Christmas

Businesses in Barnard Castle will have some respite over Christmas after a prolific shoplifter was jailed at the weekend.

The Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Team arrested Tony Deehan on Friday after he stole a bottle of fragrance from the town’s Savers store.

The 45-year-old, of Barnard Castle, was charged, remanded and put before the court on Saturday where he pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered to pay £34.99 in compensation.

An existing six-month suspended sentence issued to him ten days previously for a string of shopliftings was also revoked, meaning he is now behind bars.

Acting Sergeant Rob Booth said: “Deehan is a prolific offender who never seems to learn and the team always do everything they can to keep putting him back before the courts so we hope this news will bring some cheer to the town’s businesses just in time for Christmas.”