A DECORATOR found guilty of the theft of £60,000 worth of exclusive jewellery from a couple's bedroom will not appeal against his conviction.

Anthony McCormack's defence team had been examining new information which came to light following his trial at Teesside Crown Court.

McCormack, 37, of Deona Court, Darlington, was found guilty of the theft of a number of items of jewellery, including an 18-carat gold, diamond and mother-of-pearl Rolex watch, said to be one of only two made.

The items had been hidden in a vanity unit at the home of Susan and Michael Melton in Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Following McCormack's conviction in March, it emerged that the Meltons faced separate charges of conspiring to defraud the Prudential Assurance Company.

The couple are due to appear at Southwark Crown Court, London, next month.

Detective Sergeant Sean Jackson, of Bishop Auckland police, said: "Information came to light which was forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service and then passed on to Anthony's McCormack's defence team.

"They are quite happy that his was a secure conviction and have decided not to launch an appeal."