A BISHOP Auckland man is starting a 12 week custodial sentence after he stole bedding from a high street store.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard how Graeme Bennett tried to escape from police when they turned up at his home by running across his neighbours' rooftops.

Tahira Bourchier, prosecuting, said the defendant was shopping in B and M bargains in Bishop Auckland with a woman when their payment card was declined.

She said: “The defendant left without making any further attempt to pay for the item. The police later attended at his home address where he made off through the back door, running across neighbouring rooftops.”

The 32-year-old, of Hilton Road, Bishop Auckland, was later arrested and pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage of a neighbour's roof on Friday, May 15.

Paul Crocker, mitigating, said: “The criminal damage was committed out of recklessness, it was not intentional. Mr Bennett has drug issues which are at the fore of his offending.”

District Judge Stephen Harmes said: “I have thought about this long and hard and have looked at your record and you have been given chance after chance after chance.

“I am going to activate your eight week suspended sentence and add an additional four weeks for the theft.”

Bennett, who was previously given a suspended sentence for another theft conviction, was also ordered to pay £72.99 compensation for the bedding and the damaged rooftop.