A CHARITY box thief - who also spat at a nurse who was treating him in hospital - has been jailed.

Stephen Ambler stole a Guide Dogs for the Blind charity box from a Wearside newsagent during a 24-hour crime spree last month.

Ambler was caught on CCTV walking into the Premier Store, in East Rainton, on September 7 and making off with the fundraising box which contained approximately £100.

On the same day, he kicked his way into a family’s shed nearby and took a Carrera mountain bike.

The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to burglary and theft when appearing before magistrates in South Tyneside on Friday, October 16.

He also admitted assaulting an emergency worker after spitting at a nurse while receiving treatment at Sunderland Royal Hospital, on May 28.

The Northern Echo:

Detective Constable Neil Swainston, of Northumbria Police’s Southern Burglary Team, said: “Stephen Ambler showed a total disregard for the law and the community which he lives when he embarked on a 24-hour crime spree.

“For somebody to brazenly steal from a charity which relies on the hard work and dedication of volunteers is quite frankly deplorable.

"He should be ashamed of his actions.

“It is clear that he had no conscience – as a short time after stealing the charity box, he was seen kicking his way into a shed and making off with a girl’s bike which cost £500.

“Individuals like Ambler cannot be trusted to live in a lawful society so I am pleased that he now begins a spell behind bars.

" hope he uses this time to think carefully about the consequences of his actions – it’s time for him to grow up.”

In a statement prepared for court, a representative from Guide Dogs for the Blind revealed the timing of the theft is particularly harmful for the charity.

It read: “The loss of this money will have an impact on the funds of the charity, especially in the current Covid-19 situation as every penny we collect helps fund our day-to-day activities of training and supplying guide dogs for people who require them to live their everyday lives.”

Ambler, of Coalbank Road, Hetton-le-Hole, has been jailed for 23 weeks.