Today we name four people who have appeared in court during the last weeks for shoplifting in Darlington and County Durham.

They were all charged with theft from a shop and received a wide range of sentences after appearing in Newton Aycliffe Peterlee Magistrates' Court.

Pleas of guilty were entered in all the cases. 

Griegan Bell, 19, whose address is listed as unknown was jailed for six weeks after stealing from various Darlington shops over one week in late April.

Bell admitted stealing chicken, Lenor Unstoppables, alcohol, food and washing products totalling £85.08 from Sainsbury's, Spar and Morrisons on April 21, 27 and 28, respectively.

Bell pleaded guilty to all charges. The court deemed Bell's offences serious enough to warrant imprisonment due to his prior convictions.

Bell was also ordered to pay compensation to the affected stores, amounting to £85.08- the total value of goods stolen.

Samantha Appleby, 36, of Easington Street, Peterlee, has been ordered to undergo alcohol treatment for stealing a bottle of wine.

She pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of red wine from the Co-operative Group in Easington Colliery, County Durham on December 29, 2023. Appleby admitted her guilt.

Appleby was issued a community order by magistrates and has been directed to an alcohol treatment programme, supervised by the Probation Service, for a period of nine months.

Furthermore, she has been barred from entering the Co-op store in Easington Lane for three months until July 29, 2024.

In addition to the alcohol treatment and exclusion order, Appleby has been instructed to comply with instructions from the probation service for 18 days and pay the Co-op a compensation sum of £8.50.

Darren Wild, 31, of Dragonville, Sherburn Road, Durham, pleaded guilty to stealing washing powder and Red Bull worth £59.55 from a Sainsbury's supermarket.

He admitted to the theft that took place on April 17 in Gilesgate, Durham. Wild was subsequently ordered to pay back the £59.55 as compensation.

Magistrates instructed him to pay the full compensation within 14 days, with the suggestion that this payment would be deducted from his benefits.

Liam Blakey, 41, of Watling Road, Coundon, admitted to stealing clothing valued at £149.99 from TK Maxx in Bishop Auckland.

He was ordered to pay compensation equal to the value of the stolen items to the retailer and was fined £80. This was ordered to be paid alongside the compensation.

On top of the fine and compensation, he was also ordered to cover the costs incurred by the Crown Prosecution Service for the duration of his case, amounting to £85.