A PROLIFIC shoplifter with 101 offences to his name has admitted to a stealing spree in Darlington.

Terrence Cook, 37, of Westbrook, in the town pleaded guilty to three counts of theft from shops when he appeared at Darlington Magistrates’ Court today. (Tuesday October 16) The court heard that on October 2, Cook stole an electric shaver, cosmetics and detergents worth £81.16 from Darlington’s Sainsbury’s supermarket.

On October 6 he stole stationery, flasks and a soft toy totalling £49.95 from the town’s Waterstones store and on the same day took a pair of glasses worth £189 from Boots.

Prosecuting, Blair Martin explained that Cook was already subject to a six-onth conditional discharge and supervision order with a drug rehabilitation requirement.

Cook accepted that the latest thefts put him in breach of that order.

Mr Martin said: “There are 101 offences - I think it is right to say it is the eighth or ninth time he has been in court this year.”

Mitigating, Ben Pegman admitted that Cook’s record was “very poor” but said that a problem with his benefits led to him to commit the latest offences.

“He missed an appointment with jobseekers, his benefits were sanctioned for a fortnight so he was worried about paying his rent,” said Mr Pegman.

“His benefits have now been reinstated and that problem has gone.”

After confirming with the probation service that Cook had been sticking to his supervision order, magistrates imposed a new 12-month conditional discharge to run alongside the existing one.

Presiding magistrate Rajeev Kumar Devgan warned Cook: “You breaching this order is you saying you want to go to prison.”

All the items Cook stole were recovered so no order was made for compensation.