A SERIAL offender who “has no regard for the law” has been told that he could face jail time for his most recent crimes after targeting County Durham’s rural community earlier this month.

Thomas Beeston stole a car from outside a house in Cockfield in the early hours of January 14, 2022.

After taking the car, he was pursued by Roads Policing Officers and the police helicopter for around 25 minutes before dumping the car in Gilesgate, Durham, and tried to evade arrest.

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Beeston, of Bruce Glazier Terrace, Shotton Colliery, cut through a garden and tried to hide in an alleyway but was hunted by pursuing officers and arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to the theft, along with several other driving offences, when he appeared at Durham Crown Court on Saturday- (January 15).

He is due to be sentenced in February. 

Following Saturday’s court appearance from Beeston, DC Sarah Hindmarsh, of the South Durham Volume Crime Team, said: “Beeston is a prolific offender from the Peterlee area who appears to have no regard for the law.

“It is good to see him caught so quickly and caught in the act in our area and put him back behind bars where hopefully he will stay when he is sentenced."

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