A HOMELESS thief went on a shoplifting spree to steal camping equipment as he planned to spend the night sleeping rough.

Kyle Bright also had a knife with him he was picked up by police in Darlington in April, a court heard yesterday.

Just a month earlier, the 20-year-old had been given a suspended prison sentence for cannabis and blade offences.

That six-month sentence was activated by Judge Howard Crowson, but he did not add on any extra time for the knife.

Bright's barrister told Teesside Crown Court that it was a ceremonial weapon in a sheath, and he thought it was legal.

Ian West, mitigating, said: "He got it from a friend who told him it was a Scottish ceremonial item, and I suppose if he had been wearing a kilt and a sporran at the time of his arrest, he might have had the start of a defence.

"He accepts that having been given a suspended sentence in March and these offences having occurred only a month afterwards, the suspended sentence will be imposed."

Bright appeared in court via a live video-link from Holme House Prison in Stockton, and admitted having a bladed article and theft, and asked for four other thefts to be taken into consideration.

Prosecutor Harry Hadfield told the court that police went to a Sainsbury's store in Darlington at 6.15pm on April 18 where camping equipment was being stolen.

When he was detained, Bright told officers he had also shoplifted from Wilkinsons, B&M, Primark and Poundland.

The knife - with a thistle at the top of the handle - was found in his rucksack, said Mr Hadfield.

"He said he had stolen the items because he had fallen out with his girlfriend and was going to have to sleep rough, so he was gathering together a camping kit," the prosecutor added.

"Sainsbury's says it suffers heavily with thefts and attempted thefts, and a multi-million pound contract is ongoing to try to deter shoplifters."

Bright was arrested last November for possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and possessing a craft knife and a lock-knife.

The six-month sentence, suspended for a year, was imposed on March 13 by Judge Crowson, who told him: "They will always be activated in this court unless it is unjust to do so.

"It is inevitable, I'm afraid. If I felt there were reasons other than what you have explained about the knife I would not have been able to take the approach I have [by not adding to his sentence]".