A PROLIFIC offender who went on a crime spree which affected nearly every resident of a small village has been locked up for three years.

Daniel Lawrence stole a car from Middlesbrough to target vehicles, houses, sheds and garages in Knayton, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

Teesside Crown Court was told that Lawrence, of Aubrey Street, Middlesbrough, had a “burglar’s tool kit” with him and his thefts, burglaries and attempted break-ins were professional.

But the 24-year-old’s barrister described the spree as pathetic and said Lawrence’s lack of sophistication meant he was always going to be caught.

The court heard that he fitted the stolen Volkswagen Golf with a false number plate on the back – but kept the original plate on the front.

Lawrence did not disguise himself as he marauded through the village, and even spoke to some householders before trying to steal from them.

Paul Abrahams, mitigating, said: “If one was to try to earmark a problem with the vehicle, the number plates would have been it.

“Far from concealing it, it was almost advertising it to any passing patrol car. He walked around the village trying the cars almost willy-nilly and going up to houses and garages without really any thought of concealment.

“If one was to try to get caught for a set of offences, he went about it in the right way. If one was to describe this as a criminal enterprise, it was pathetic.”

The court heard that Lawrence stole CDs, money and other personal items from cars parked in one street, and a mountain bike from a shed.

He also tried to force his way into the kitchen of a cottage during the threehour blitz in the early hours of May 10, and was seen by the occupant.

Lawrence was arrested after several people called police and officers chased the stolen hatchback along a track until it mounted a verge and stopped.

Initially, he said he had bought the car for £210 and the property – the mountain bike and a purse, as well as the “burglar’s tools” – were already inside.

Later, he admitted handling stolen goods, burglary, attempted burglary, four thefts and driving while disqualified, and asked for eight other crimes to be taken into consideration.

Judge Tony Briggs told him: “You are only 24 and you already have a formidable criminal record, and you are now up on further offences of a similar nature.

It is apparent that you have had chances given before that you have thrown away.

“It is down to you whether you want to stay out or spend the rest of your life in prison.”