Homeless thief nicked £21 worth of sausage rolls

A thief who pinched sausage rolls and alcohol in thefts from two Houghton-le-Spring shops has had his fill of crime, a court heard.

- by Gareth Crickmer

Anthony Robertson, 43, now wants to stay out of trouble and only offended because he was homeless and hungry, his solicitor said.

Robertson, who is still of no fixed abode but in the process of getting accommodation, targeted Greggs and Lidl outlets on Monday, July 7.

He entered Greggs' store in Newbottle Street and swiped £21.40 of sausage rolls, prosecutor Marcus Blakelock said.

Soon afterwards, he walked into Lidl's branch in nearby Mautland Square, and made off with 12 cans of Madri lager.