A THIEF who has a lengthy record of stealing to feed his heroin habit has been jailed for 40 weeks.

Carl Hudspeth admitted breaking into cars in Bishop Auckland and stealing sat-nav systems, when he appeared in court yesterday.

The 26-year-old, of Walker Drive, Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland, pleaded guilty to two thefts committed in the last week.

On Saturday, he stole a sat-nav, camcorder and mobile telephone worth £830 from a Land Rover outside the Asda supermarket.

On Wednesday, he broke into a delivery van near the Newgate Centre shopping precinct and stole items worth £130.

On both occasions, Hudspeth used a small hammer to smash a window and grab the equipment.

Magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe heard that Hudspeth is known to town police and has 34 convictions on his record, the most recent of which have been similar thefts.

The court heard that despite being on a methadone programme he still uses heroin.

Andrew Clinton, mitigating, said: "He is not someone who flagrantly disregards court orders, he has completed unpaid work and has been trying to get off drugs.

"Hopefully, when he comes out of prison he will be clear of drugs and stay out of trouble."

Magistrates sentenced Hudsepth to 20 weeks in custody for both of the thefts, to run consecutively.