'Absolute menace' turned to crime after ex kicked him out

He went on 3-month spree after relying on drink and drugs to cope

- Sentinel Reporter

A SERIAL offender has avoided jail time - despite racking up dozens of charges over just three months.

Matthew Tainton pleaded guilty to theft, beating, criminal damage, resisting an officer, failing to surrender and breaching a restraining order.

The 35-year-old began his crime spree in June after his ex-partner kicked him out and a restraining order was imposed upon him.

Tainton began living out of a tent in Newcastle, turning to drugs and crime until he was arrested in August.

Prosecutor James Hudson told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: “The majority of the offences relate to the Newcastle-under-Lyme area, primarily concerning the theft of alcohol from Morrisons and Sainsbury's.

“On one occasion, the defendant told a shop worker he would ‘smash his head in’ after being kicked out. He then ran back in to steal vodka while the worker was on the phone to the police”