A PETTY criminal with more than 100 offences on his record is back behind bars for spitting at his ex-girlfriend.

Robin Durrant was the subject of a suspended prison sentence for burglary when he assaulted his former partner.

The 42-year-old also had a small vegetable knife in his pocket when he was arrested in Hartlepool town centre on March 21.

He was found guilty of common assault and possessing a bladed article when he failed to turn up for a magistrates court trial.

On Monday, November 23, he was jailed for six months after also admitting failing to surrender to custody and breaching the suspended sentence.

Paul Abrahams, mitigating, said Durrant, of Elliott Street, Hartlepool, was trying to reduce his alcohol consumption.

Judge Howard Crowson heard how he has 108 crimes on his record, mostly for dishonesty and public disorder.