A FUNERAL director who stole the keys to a hearse belonging to a rival Middlesbrough firm while it was parked outside a church was spared jail today.

David Leslie Wood, 49, ruined the dignity of Patricia Thorburn's funeral, and her dying wish to be carried from the church to the crematorium in a vintage Rolls-Royce.

While her funeral took place in the Salvation Army Citadel in Middlesbrough, Wood reached inside the Phantom VI and pinched the ignition key from under the driver's seat.

Mourners had to wait an hour before the funeral firm managed to hot wire the classic car by ripping open the dashboard and joining two wires together to start the engine.

Her cremation in Acklam was delayed by an hour because of the damage to the hearse.

Recorder James Goss QC at Teesside Crown Court said the seriousness of the offence was such that custody was required, but suspended the six-month sentence for a year.

Wood, of Bridge Court, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to theft at an earlier hearing.

He told his probation officer that his behaviour on September 23 last year was "stupid, pathetic and childish".

The judge said: "This is not really an offence of theft but an offence against public decency."

The court heard that there was a dispute between Woods firm and rival Joel D Kerr, which took over his premises in Stockton, Teesside, as the defendant accused them of poaching business.

He was caught on CCTV taking the keys and later claimed that he acted impulsively.

Costly repairs were needed to the Rolls-Royce, the keys for which he threw away as he fled and which have never been found.

After reading glowing references about Wood's professionalism and care, the judge was extremely puzzled that the disgraced undertaker could have ruined 65-year-old Mrs Thorburn's funeral, knowing that her mourners were grieving.

"It is the complete antithesis of how he was described in that reference," the judge said. "It must have been professional jealousy or anger at the dispute that he was in."

He added: "One thing as supposedly civilised human beings we hope to expect is that when death occurs it will be treated with respect.

"Sadly you treated the death in this case and the funeral that was taking place with disrespect."

Peter Makepeace, defending, said there had been a serious effect on Wood's business since the case was reported.

"I express on Mr Wood's behalf his profound apology to Mr Kerr and to his staff, and even more particularly to the family of the deceased."

Wood was ordered to pay £250 prosecution costs and a compensation hearing will be held later.

Wood did not comment as he left court.

None of Mrs Thorburn's family was present.