A prolific thief from Tyneside who starred in a prison documentary is back behind bars after pocketing 40 mobile phones during a crime spree.
Michael Surtees appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court last week where he was jailed for 12 months for a string of thefts which took place in July. The 35-year-old, who had previously appeared on the Channel 4 documentary 'Prison' during a stint at HMP Durham, admitted stealing a quantity of mobiles worth £6,000 from Fix Today Phone and Repair on Durham Road in Birtley on July 9.
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When the burglary was reported, detectives sourced CCTV and the culprit was soon recognised – blood splatters were also analysed from the scene and would later get a match. While officers set about tracing their man, another string of thefts were reported from a handful of vehicles parked on Caleb Drive, Wallsend, as well as break ins at Pizza Hut, Bella Italia, Odeon and Cassia at Silverlink.
However, Surtees did not stop there and was later intercepted in Durham having travelled there to carry out further offence. He was arrested and brought back to the Northumbria Force area in handcuffs where he was interviewed in connection with spree. And less than six hour later, he was charged with multiple offences and remanded in custody for court the following day.
On July 19, he appeared before magistrates and pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle and burglary and was sentenced to a year behind bars.
Speaking after the sentencing Detective Sergeant David Lumsden said: “After serving a previous sentence for burglary, Surtees was released and given the opportunity to prove himself and show he could contribute positively to the community – but instead, he chose to go back to his old ways which is a disappointing.
“Thanks to some excellent team work with our colleagues in Durham, we were able to share information and work together to ensure a prolific, repeat offender is now back behind bars.
“Our communities deserve better than to be targeted and fall victim to theft and burglaries, and we will do all we can to continue to tackle and prevent this type of criminality.”
Det Sgt Lumsden added: “We would also ask the wider pubic, including businesses work with us to help reduce the impact burglary can have by ensuring doors, windows and properties are kept secure and valuables out of view.”
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