Hartlepool burglar targeted three businesses in crime spree

Paul Smith forced his way into the Open Jar in Seaton Carew on three occasions over a two-week period and the prolific offender also raided the Staincliffe Hotel and Fish Face takeaway in June this year.

The 36-year-old was out on prison licence when he committed all five of the burglaries, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Dr Christopher Wood, prosecuting, said the defendant’s fingerprints were recovered from a glass and a vodka bottle after he prised open a security door of the seafront hotel in the early late on June 6.

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He told the court how Smith then forced his way in the Fish Face takeaway in Seaton Carew at around 11pm on June 12. The defendant set of the alarm in the premises and fled the scene empty handed.

The Open Jar, Seaton Carew (Image: Google)

Dr Wood said the Open Jar was then targeted three times with the first happening on June 12 when he stole £250 in cash from the tills.

He returned on June 18 and this time he managed to steal £500 in cash and two laptops.

However, his crime spree came to an end on June 28 when he again targeted the same business but was caught in the act.

Staincliffe Hotel, Seaton Carew (Image: Google)

Dr Wood added: “At the time, a member of staff was monitoring the situation on the security system. The police were called and he was arrested at the scene with a co-accused.”

The court heard he had 27 convictions for 75 offences on his record.

Paul Smith (Image: Cleveland Police)

Smith, of Rydal Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to five burglaries between June 10 and 28 this year.

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Fish Face, Seaton Carew (Image: Google)

Calum McNicholas, mitigating, said Smith was homeless at the time of the offences and urged the judge to take into consideration his early guilty pleas.

Recorder David Brooke KC sentenced the serial offender to a total of 16 months after he targeted three businesses in his crime spree.

He said: “You have a conviction for robbery and were on licence at the time of these offences.

“It seems to me that the courts have tried in the past to help you and it seems there is no other alternative but prison here.”