A MAN who went on a crime spree, including a spate of commercial break-ins in a market town, was told “custody is inevitable”.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court via video link from the city’s nearby prison, 29-year-old Leon Robinson pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, all shop-type premises in Barnard Castle, on May 15.

He admitted two charges of attempted burglary at other premises in the town, plus taking a vehicle without consent, driving disqualified and without insurance, damaging property and four counts of assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty, all on the same day.

Robinson, also admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, without insurance and failing to stop after an accident, in Hartlepool, on October 20, last year.

Matthew Collins, for Robinson, said he was a heavy drug user at the time of the offences, an addiction he has shaken off while in custody in recent weeks.

Remanding Robinson , of Seaton Lane, Hartlepool, in custody until sentence, on July 13, Judge Christopher Prince told him “custody is inevitable” in the case.