A burglar stole bank cards and car keys from a Ponteland pub before driving off in a stolen Toyota to buy scratchcards and booze.
Shaun Cruddas had already been escorted from the premises of a care home before he entered a pub via the staff door and helped himself to the goods on February 14. The 42-year-old then made-off in a stolen Toyota Aygo and drove to a petrol station near to Newcastle Airport where he bought cigarettes, alcohol and scratchcards.
But the hapless burglar was caught days later after he attempted to cash in £25 that he'd won from the scratchcards he'd bought using the stolen bank cards. Cruddas, of Wilfred Street, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for burglary, theft, fraud, and driving offences.
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Joe Culley, prosecuting, said all of the offences took place on the same day, with the first burglary taking place at a care home in Bradbury Court, Ponteland. "It is a residential building and accommodation for assisted living and looks after people with mental disabilities", he said.
"The defendant was found by a staff member in the main corridor and he was escorted out. An inspection of the building was carried out and some damage was found to the front door but nothing was reported as stolen."
After being escorted out of the premises, Cruddas then made the short walk over to the Blackbird Inn on North Road and entered the pub via a rear staff door. He then raked through a cupboard which contained a bag with £80 cash inside - made up of tips - and stole two bank cards and car keys.
"He then left the building and walked around the car park until he found a Toyota Aygo and used the keys to drive away", Mr Culley said. Cruddas, who had no driving licence or insurance, then drove to a nearby Sainsbury's where he bought alcohol, cigarettes and scratch cards with the stolen cards, spending £121.
After that, he drove to the Shell garage at Newcastle Airport where he bought the same items, spending £77. The court heard that on February 15, Cruddas also claimed back £25 he'd won from the scratch cards - which was then linked back to the stolen bank cards. He was arrested on February 19.
Mr Pickford, defending, said that upon his arrest, Cruddas told officers "immediately" where the stolen car was and led them to nearby wasteland where he'd ditched the car keys - which were then recovered.
Recorder Marco Giuliani jailed Cruddas for 910 days.
