A PROLIFIC offender has escaped punishment for a series of thefts he carried out before he was imprisoned for similar offences.

Kenneth Worley, 38, appeared before Darlington Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday, May 7) after being released from a 25-week prison sentence on Friday.

He pleaded guilty to stealing loose change from a van in Darlington in March and asked for four other thefts from vehicles to be taken into account.

Items stolen included CDs, a Sat Nav and an ipod taken from vehicles in Orchard Road, Ivy Wood Close, Bluebell Close and Bellburn Lane, all in Darlington.

The court was told that Worley, who gave a ‘care of’ address in Tubwell Row, Darlington, was homeless at the time and had been sleeping in vehicles.

Mitigating, Callum Terry said Worley had already served his prison sentence and should not face another term.

Magistrates agreed and gave him a six-month conditional discharge and fined him £105 compensation and costs.