A THIEF who stole cash at the Metrocentre and was caught driving whilst disqualified on the same day has been sentenced in court.

Jon Kelly initially denied committing the £160 theft and the driving offences in Gateshead on August 11, 2020, but changed his pleas to guilty before trial.

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The 50-year-old was caught driving a Fiat Doblo on Saint Michael's Way, Gateshead when he was supposed to be serving a driving ban.

Kelly, of Aynsley Mews, Consett, was also charged with driving without insurance.

His case went before magistrates sitting at South Tyneside on Tuesday (March 29) who imposed a 13-week prison sentence suspended for 12-months.

They said this was due to the seriousness of the driving offence and Kelly's disregard for court orders.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12-months and ordered to pay a total of 

£573 in compensation, court fines and charges. 

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