A MAN who stole more than £1,500 worth of tools from a van has since turned his life around, a court heard yesterday.

Daniel Tew, 18, admitted theft when he appeared before magistrates in Darlington.

Jacqueline Gibson, prosecuting, said he took the tools from a van in Marina Road, Darlington, on May 20 last year but was caught by police as he tried to escape.

Chris Bunting, in mitigation, said Tew, who had no previous convictions, had since moved away from Darlington, found full-time employment and kept out of trouble.

Tew, of Salisbury Walk, Worksop, was ordered to pay £60 compensation to the van owner, and £34 court costs.