A MAN who carried out a spree of garage and vehicle break-ins, plus an accomplice who handled some of the stolen goods, have both been jailed.

John Mason Shields took mainly tools and gardening equipment after forcing his way into garages and cars in the Low Willington and Crook areas of County Durham overnight, on January 26/27 this year.

Durham Crown Court heard all the victims were exasperated and angry, but it left one, a builder, £4,000 out of pocket. He estimating he had to work for ten weeks to recoup his losses.

Nigel Soppitt, prosecuting, said police detained Shields nearby.

His co-accused Robert Gordon Alderson, who ran off, was arrested half-an-hour later.

At various hearings over recent months, during which the pair have remained in custody, 28-year-old Shields, of Jubilee Terrace, Willington, admitted three counts of burglary and five of theft.

Alderson, 44, of Dunelm Avenue, Willington, admitted three counts of handling stolen goods and two of theft, shoplifting offences committed earlier the same day.

But Mr Soppitt said in a separate case Alderson also admitted four counts of fraud by false representation, having used a cash/debit card taken by someone else from a 77-year-old now deceased man.

Alderson used it to either buy items, or withdraw cash, to the total value of £3,565, causing the victim, who was at a loss as to how his card and pin number were accessed, great stress prior to his death.

Scott Smith, for Alderson, said he “effectively” facilitated the loss of the money, by withdrawing the cash and making the purchases, having been given a shopping list of items to buy.

Mr Smith said his client co-operated with inquiries into the fraudulent use of the bank card, even supplying the details of who passed it to him, but the victim, prior to his death, chose not to press a prosecution on that person.

Yvonne Taylor, for Shields, said “chronic drug misuse” over the years has proved his downfall.

She said he was struggling to overcome his addiction, when, on the night of the burglary/theft spree, he relapsed after, “getting in with the wrong crowd”.

Mrs Taylor said: “As a result he can’t recall much about that night.

“But he now accepts responsibility and he asks me to express his remorse over what took place.

“He bitterly regrets it,” she added.

Alderson was jailed by Judge Simon Hickey for a total of 18 months, while Shields received a ten-month sentence.