A PROLIFIC thief who was involved in dozens of offences across the north was behind bars last night after confessing to a £100,000 crime-spree.

Paul Baveridge was arrested on a stolen quad-bike after a high-speed chase on roads alongside the A66 – the culmination of a two-day operation involving police and farmers.

After his arrest, Baveridge took officers to sites across the Yorkshire Dales to show them other places he had targeted in a six-year campaign of countryside crime.

He confessed to more than 40 offences after quad, trial and mountain bikes were taken from farms throughout Swaledale, Wensleydale, Coverdale and Wharfedale.

Baveridge, 20, of Cobden Street, Darlington, was sent to a young offenders’ institution for two-and-ahalf years and banned from driving for three years by Judge Peter Armstrong.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Baveridge was arrested at the end of a 40-mile pursuit in March, a day after a farmer in Swaledale reported the theft of one of his quadbikes.

Officers from North Yorkshire, Durham and Cumbria forces, together with farmers, monitored roads leading from the area, and a police helicopter was also used.

The next day, Durham police were informed that a quad-bike was being driven at speed and “in a cavalier-manner” close to the A66 at Scargill, near Barnard Castle.

Officers followed the vehicle east along the A66 before the rider moved on to back roads and sped through the North Yorkshire villages of Hutton Magna, Aldbrough St John, Melsonby, Middleton Tyas and Scorton before the chase ended after 30 minutes, just south of Atley Hill.

After the case, Inspector Ian Thompson, who is based at Richmond, said: “Paul Baveridge has got exactly what he deserves – a lengthy spell behind bars.

“He was a prolific offender who preyed on the rural communities in Richmondshire, Hambleton and in Durham. The misery and upset he has caused is immeasurable, but at least his many victims can now rest assured that justice has been served.”

Insp Thompson praised the partnership work with Durham police that led to Baveridge’s arrest, and thanked communities for the support they gave throughout the investigations.

“The fact that Baveridge was arrested as a result of information passed directly from the local community is testament that Safer Neighbourhoods policing is working well,” he said.

“With this strong partnership in place, it also sends out a clear warning to travelling criminals that North Yorkshire Police will do everything they can to bring them to justice.”

Baveridge admitted three burglaries, two charges of handling stolen goods, theft and driving matters, dated between July last year and this March, and asked for 33 other offences to be taken into account.

Amanda DeWinter, mitigating, said Baveridge had co-operated fully with the police, and that he had been recruited by other criminals because of his skill as a thief.

She said Baveridge had been troubled with dyslexia at school and felt trapped, but found acceptance with the gang and was pressurised by others to commit crime.