An opportunistic thief who stole a car from a hotel car park before smashing his way into a taxi to steal cash has been jailed.

Nicholas Kinlan spotted a woman loading up her Vauxhall Mokka at the Travelodge where she was staying while he was riding around Middlesbrough town centre on his bike.

The Northern Echo: The Travelodge in Middlesbrough town centreThe Travelodge in Middlesbrough town centre (Image: Google)

The 38-year-old initially broke into the car before stealing items, including the spare key and personal belongings, then left the scene, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Elisha Marsay, prosecuting, said CCTV footage showed the defendant return to the hotel car park on Newport Road, jump over the fence and drive off in the car.

“He smashed the driver’s side window,” she said. “He picked up the spare key which had been left in a bag on the passenger seat. He left the scene and returned back four minutes later.

“He drove it out of the car park but it was recovered the following day after being abandoned.”

Miss Marsay said the second offence took place a little over a week later when he was again cycling around Middlesbrough.

She said he spotted a taxi parked on a drive and looked through the window before cycling off before returning minutes later.

“He threw an item at the window causing it to smash,” she said. “He leaned through the window and grabbed a bag containing around £100 in cash.”

The court heard how the defendant had 56 convictions for 124 offences on his extensive record.

Kinlan, of Pallister Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to theft of a motor vehicle on February 2, this year, and to theft from a motor vehicle from February 10.

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Kelleigh Lodge, mitigating, said her client had slipped back into taking tablets to self-medicate following the death of his father in January and was under the influence of the illicit drugs at the time.

Recorder Andrew Smith MBE locked Kinlan up for a total of seven months for both offences.

“It is the loss of personal items which is the really upsetting thing when people are subjected to this sort of crime,” he said.

“Sooner or later, you are going to have to decide which way your life is going. If you continue to abuse drugs you will see a deterioration in your health.”