A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of a once notorious criminal following his non-appearance for sentence for his latest misdemeanour.

Shaun McKerry, who as a prolific young offender earned the nickname Homing Pigeon Boy, failed to appear for a scheduled sentencing hearing at Durham Crown Court yesterday.

McKerry, now 26, was given his moniker by police when, as a repeat teenage burglar and drug user, he tended to be found making his way home following his crimes.

He ran up numerous convictions and was given various sentences, including custody, as well as community work to try to address his drug abuse.

In recent years, much of McKerry’s offending has often been for the theft of low value items, from shops in the south-west Durham area.

His latest court proceedings arose following the theft of two bottles of bourbon, worth a combined total of £38.86, from the Asda store in Bishop Auckland, on September 28.

McKerry, formerly of Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, was later arrested at his home, in Bridge Street, Howden-le-Wear.

He pleaded guilty at a recent hearing at South Durham Magistrates’ Court, but, given his long list of previous offences, the case was committed for sentence at the crown court, yesterday.

When the case was called on he failed to respond and his barrister, Scott Smith, told the court McKerry had rung his solicitor’s office having missed a bus to Durham.

But when he had still not appeared shortly before the lunch adjournment, Mr Smith told Recorder Keith Miller: “Your honour may see the defendant hasn’t graced us with his presence this morning.

“There was contact by the defendant with my instructing solicitors saying he had missed his bus, but hoped to be here by 11.15am.

“But, perhaps, now the time has come where he can’t indulge your honour’s patience any further.”

Jane Waugh, for the prosecution, asked for a warrant to be issued for McKerry’s arrest, given his continued absence.

Recorder Miller agreed and made the order.