A PROLIFIC thief will spend Christmas behind bars after causing misery to motorists.

Alan Thomas Dunlop, 32, has committed a string of car-related offences throughout the year and was banned from entering large parts of Sunderland earlier this year.

As part of a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) handed to him by magistrates in June, Dunlop was forbidden from entering Roker, Seaburn, East Boldon, West Boldon, Castletown, Cleadon, Southwick and Fulwell.

He was also handed a ten-week jail term for three counts of motor vehicle interference while already on a suspended sentence for a further car-related crime committed in January, and warned any further discretions would lead to a more severe punishment.

His frequent offending has now landed him back in the dock.

Dunlop, of East Moor Road, Sunderland, was jailed for 24 weeks on November 29 for breaching his CBO.

He will now spend the festive period in prison.

Inspector Don Wade, of Northumbria Police, said: “Alan Dunlop was warned he would face further punishment if he did not comply with the strict conditions.

“That warning was not heeded, and now he will spend the next few months in prison.

“He has shown a complete disregard to the community and police and has been a drain on our resources.”