A THIEF who broke into a car and stole £5,000 worth of fishing, camping and photographic equipment has been jailed for a year.

Christopher Hall also stole two mountain bikes during his crime spree which was brought to an end when police caught him hiding underneath a car after he was spotted trying to break into a vehicle.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 42-year-old managed to sell the camera but the pawn shop refused to take the expensive fishing tackle.

Anthony Pettengell, prosecuting, said Hall was captured on CCTV stealing the bikes in May this year and the owner managed to track him down and recover one of them.

Hall, of Harris Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to theft, theft from vehicle and possession of a bladed article between May and October this year.

Simon Walker, mitigating, said his client had stolen some of the goods to raise money to pay a bond on a flat for him and his family.

Judge Recorder Ian Mullarkey told Hall the theft from the car in October had impacted on the life of an NHS worker after damaging her vehicle.

He added: "You were found hiding under a car by the police and you had a knife and a screwdriver in your possession at the time."