A PERSISTENT offender who stole cosmetics was told "nobody has come nearer to going to prison" as he walked free from court.

John Dorward, 32, was caught with £134.99 worth of cosmetics he had stolen from Boots, in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Dorward had an "appalling record" and that courts had tried the full range of punishments on him in the past.

He appeared before the bench yesterday, having earlier admitted the theft, which took place on November 9.

In mitigation, the bench heard that Dorward, of Toward Road, Sunderland, had complied with a recent order and was trying to turn his life around.

His solicitor said: "To turn somebody like John Dorward around is like turning a super-tanker. Do not overlook the fact that two steps forward and one step back is still forward progress."

Chairwoman of the bench Margaret Cunningham said: "I am going to sentence you to four months in prison, suspended for two years. We are putting a request in the court papers that, should you re-offend within two years, this bench be informed."

As he left the room, she said: "Nobody has come nearer to going to prison than this young man."

Dorward's punishment means he will be subject to two years of supervision by the probation service. He was also ordered to pay £55 costs.