A THIEF who stole a tracksuit top to keep warm after he was released from prison has been spared another jail sentence.

Gary Wright, of Roseberry View, Stockton, stole a £40 tracksuit top from JD Sports in the Cornmill Centre, in Darlington, on March 5 after being released from prison a few days earlier, Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Prosecutor John Garside said the 31-year-old had stolen the top as he had no money and no clothes after being released from prison in February.

He told the court Wright, who has 142 previous convictions, was chased by security guards and caught in a nearby alleyway where he then swore at the security guards and police officers who were arresting him.

Clive Booth, mitigating, said Wright had been released from prison on February 22 after serving a 30-month sentence and the only money he had was a £46 prison grant which he used for food and travel.

“The weather took a cold turn on that day and he didn’t have a jacket,” he said. “I would ask you to give him a clean start.”

Wright pleaded guilty to theft from a shop and using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment or distress and was ordered to pay a £200 fine with a £20 victim surcharge and £50 costs.

District Judge Adrian Lower said: “I am afraid you are rapidly becoming the sort of man who simply moves from the shop, to the police station, to the court, to the prison and back out again.

“It is up to you to break this woeful cycle of offending.”