A THIEF who stole luggage from passengers waiting at Darlington station has been spared a custodial sentence.

Magistrates at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court sentenced David Christopher Boyes, to 200 hours community service yesterday after he pleaded guilty to six charges of theft, was well as two burglary charges.

Boyes, 23, of King William Street, Darlington, was caught by a father and son trying to steal their laptop computer while they were waiting on at the platform on April 14.

His pursuers caught him when he leapt down a flight of stairs and injured his ankle.

Kieron Grogan, prosecuting, said: "When police searched his house they found several other items which he had taken from the station which relate to the charges of theft."

The court heard that Boyes initially stole from the station to make child support payments and then carried on stealing after discovering how easy it was.

Last Monday, staff at Greggs, in Northgate, Darlington, surprised Boyes in one of the upstairs staffrooms.

He fled down the staircase and they found a number of staff lockers had been broken into and items taken.

Boyes was later caught and admitted taking two mobile phones, two purses, two cash cards, and £30 cash.

Although he had 50 previous convictions for theft-related offences and had recently been sentenced to prison for 12 months, the court heard he had now got a job and was beginning to turn his life around. Many of his offences had been committed when he had been drinking heavily.

As well as the 200 hours community service, he was also sentenced to an 18 month rehabilitation order and was fined £134 costs.