A MAN has been a jailed after having a knife at a bus stop in County Durham.

William McClacklan, from Bishop Auckland, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, handling stolen goods and having a bladed article in a public place.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said McClacklan, 35, who had been living with a friend at Tivoli Place, had stolen £50 worth of aquatic plants from Pets at Home, shopping worth £16.52 from Aldi and a bike lock and sweets, valued at £5, from Poundland, on three separate dates in April.

He also admitted to handling stolen goods on April 14. Ms Waugh told the court the victim had discovered that McClacklan had been trying to sell the items – a drill and radio – online and had shown an interest in buying them before confronting him.

On May 24th he was waiting at a bus stop in Bishop Auckland when he was stopped by police, who found he had a Stanley knife, which he said he kept to sharpen pencils.

Durham Crown Court heard he has 43 previous convictions, for 91 offences.

John Turner, mitigating for McClacklan, told the court that he had a "life crisis" in 2017 after becoming homeless following the break down of his long-term relationship.

He said he had committed the thefts because he had not managed to arrange benefits and had no source of income.

Recorder Ian Atherton sentenced him to a total of 14 months in prison.

He said: "You have a prodigious criminal record going back many years."

"Although these matters in themselves would attract a non-custodial sentence if they were one or two, they are the latest in a long line for you."