A SHOPLIFTER described by the courts as having 'a flagrant disregard for people and their property' has been jailed for multiple meat thefts.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court head on Tuesday (May 17) that Spennymoor man Brett Northey carried out a string of shop thefts in County Durham between February and April this year.

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The court heard that on February 6 he stole several meat products worth £73 from a One Stop store in Chester-le-Street.

The following month, on March 31, he stole six fillet steaks, six sirloin steaks and three rump steaks, to the value of £50.91 from a Home Bargains in Stanley.

The 30-year-old returned to the Stanley Home Bargains on April 2 and stole another six fillet steaks and 13 rump steaks worth £66.19.

Northey pleaded guilty to all three offences last month and was sentenced at Newton Aycliffe on Tuesday (May 17).

Magistrates sent him to prison for 20 weeks concurrent saying the offences were 'so serious because the defendant has a flagrant disregard for people and their property'.

Northey, of Jubilee Close, was also ordered to pay a total of £190.10 in compensation.

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