A THIEF was convicted for the 33rd time since 1997 yesterday - but was still spared prison.

Gareth James Buckton, 25, of Station Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty at Darlington Magistrates' Court to stealing four ladies' watches worth £108 from Marks and Spencer in Darlington.

David Maddison, prosecuting, told the court Buckton entered the store at 2.25pm on Monday, December 11.

A security guard noticed watches were missing, checked CCTV footage, then noticed Buckton on Bondgate, close to the store.

He went to detain Buckton, but let go when he struggled. Police then arrived and arrested him, and the watches were recovered.

Buckton told police he was stealing to fund a drug addiction. Mr Maddison said he had been convicted 32 times since 1997

Magistrates' chairman David Williams warned Buckton he was "at a crossroads" in his life and that the sentencing report "says a significant commitment to change is required - and quickly".

Buckton was given a community order with 24 months supervision, a six-month drug rehabilitation order, and an addressing substance-related offending programme.