Darlington burglar branded a menace to businesses is jailed

David Soley caused thousands of pounds worth of damage as he carried out the spree of offending over a six-week period across Darlington.

The 40-year-old was branded a menace to small and large businesses as he was jailed for his latest catalogue of offences.

Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said the repeat offender broke into the Barnardo’s shop before conducting an untidy search and ransacking the backroom before stealing £80 cash and doing £2,000 worth of damage.

Barnardo's shop in Darlington (Image: Google)

His second burglary took place at Northwood Primary School where he removed a window before carrying out an untidy search causing damage of £475.

Miss Buck said the next burglary took place at SEM Electrical where he forced entry to the premise, again conducting an untidy search and stealing a hedge trimmer and a camera.

In May, Soley broke into a car parked on Eldon Street, Darlington, and stole loose change, a bank card and washing pods.

Northwood Primary School in Darlington (Image: Google)

The second theft occurred the following day where he broke into a Mercedes van and stole two DeWalt drills worth £500.

On May 20, he used a hacksaw to remove metal bars from the Style Council and stole drills, a hammer drill and a box of cannulas worth £600.

On his arrest, he was found to be in possession of cannabis.

He was found guilty of a burglary of a shop on Northgate and an attempted burglary of a tyre centre.

Miss Buck said he stole cash from a corner shop as well as vapes, cigarettes and Red Bull before attempting to break into Tyre Corner nearby.

David Soley (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Soley, of Corbridge Crescent, Darlington, was convicted for four non-dwelling burglaries, one attempted burglary, two thefts and possession of cannabis.

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, said his client had a longstanding dependency on drugs which resulted in him committing offences to fund his habit.

He added: “He was leading a chaotic, drug-addicted life which had gone on since he was very young. When matters became as bad as they did in April and May this year, he, when in the grip of addiction, is not able to see any other way of sustaining himself.”

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Judge Richard Bennett jailed the serial burglar for a total of 18 months for all offences.

He said: “You have a longstanding chronic addiction to drugs and it is clear that when you are in the throes of your addiction you simply do not care who you target.

“That includes the mean offences of burgling a charity and a primary school.

“It is clear to me that you are a career burglar, you are a menace to small and large businesses in the Darlington area.”