A MAN who burgled a charity that had been supporting him has been jailed.

Michael Langley, 40, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison after being convicted of burglary at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court..

The court heard how Langley forced entry to the Changing Lives accommodation in Plawsworth, Chester-le-Street, and stole items from a resident’s room on April 29.

Langley, who was previously supported through the accommodation himself, was arrested less than 24 hours later after being identified from CCTV.

Detective Constable Mal Ord from West Durham CID, who led the investigation, said: “Changing Lives is a national charity based in the North East that has been supporting vulnerable people for more than 45 years and more recently helping the homeless in the Covid crisis.

“This is despicable crime against a person who has very little to start with.

“Michael Langley was given the chance to rebuild his life with support and accommodation at Changing Lives but he’s thrown this away.

“We hope he will address his behaviour behind bars.”