Thief went on spree days after prison release
Northumbria PoliceA thief who went on a crime spree days after being released from jail has been imprisoned for a further 21 months.
Lee Hetherington, 27, stole bags of cash and a wallet from two cars in Newcastle and Gateshead and later tried to break into a garage and house, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
He claimed to police the cash was his wages for working in a car wash in Washington, Sunderland, but could not tell them how much he had got or where the business was, the court heard.
Hetherington admitted theft and attempted burglary, with the offences committed in August and September.
He was released on bail from custody on 17 July and committed his first theft on 1 August, prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said.
A man returned to his van parked in Jesmond, Newcastle, to find someone had searched his vehicle and stolen his gym bag, which contained four bags each containing 20 £1 coins, the court heard.
History of dishonesty
Police were already in the area after being told someone had been going around trying car door handles and quickly spotted Hetherington, who tried to flee but was found hiding in a garden, Mr Wardlaw said.
When interviewed, he denied stealing the coins and claimed he had earned them while working at a car wash, although was unable to say exactly how much money he had or where the business was.
He was released under investigation but came back to police attention on 20 September when he stole a wallet from a car parked in Felling, Gateshead, Mr Wardlaw said.
Hetherington then tried to use the man's bank card to buy £60 worth of cigarettes although the transaction failed, the court heard.
In the early hours of 23 September, Hetherington tried to break into an MOT centre and a nearby house with a large yellow chisel, Mr Wardlaw said.
The court heard Hetherington, of no fixed abode but previously of Bondene Avenue West in Felling, had 30 offences on his criminal record including multiple counts of dishonesty.
