Jail for man who tried to steal charity’s van

A man who tried to steal a charity’s van moments after they had given him a free hat and pair of gloves has been jailed.

Lee Geldard was at King’s Church Foodbank, on Whessoe Road, last Friday (January 10) where staff had given him a new deerstalker hat and a pair of gloves to stay warm in the colder weather.

While staff were busy collecting some toiletries for him, Geldard took the opportunity to steal a set of van keys that had been left on a desk.

As staff noticed the van lights coming on in the car park, they immediately ran outside and dragged Geldard out of the driver’s seat.

The 50-year-old then dropped the keys and ran off.

Officers arrested him the following morning and brought him into custody, where was charged with attempted theft of a motor vehicle and failing to provide a sample for drug testing.

Geldard, of Peabody Street, Darlington, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday (January 16) where he pleaded guilty to the offences.

This also activated a suspended sentence imposed last year for a racially aggravated assault, and he was jailed for seven months in total.

Detective Inspector Claire Callaghan, from Darlington CID, said: “King’s Church provide vital support to the most vulnerable in our community – to target them in this way is despicable.

“I hope Geldard uses his time in prison to reflect on his actions and their consequences.

“We’d like to thank the staff and volunteers at King’s Church for their quick-thinking actions at the scene, which ultimately stopped Geldard from being able to make off in the van.”