Brazen burglar jailed after targeting business

A brazen burglar who stole employee tips from a fish and chip shop has been jailed this Safer Business Action Week.

Stepehen Joe Robinson targeted the business, along with several others in Ferryhill, over recent weeks, stealing items such as butter, laundry tablets and chocolate.

Officers were able to link the 30-year-old to 11 offences in total thanks to CCTV and arrested Robinson on Sunday (November 9).

He was charged with ten counts of thefts and one count of burglary and put before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe yesterday (November 10) who handed him a six-month prison sentence.

Robinson, of Shildon, was also ordered to pay compensation.

Neighbourhood inspector, Peter Newman, said: “Robinson is a repeat offender who continues to commit crime despite extensive intervention from several different agencies.

“Our officers will continue to put criminals like Robinson back before the courts and we hope this prison sentence gives our businesses some respite, especially as we approach the festive trading season.

“This Safer Business Action Week, we will be highlighting the ongoing work our officers continue to undertake to target those who try to harm our local businesses.”