A thief stole £250 worth of parcels from a delivery van in Sunderland. Jack Smurthwaite and an accomplice stole the packages from a van after coming across the vehicle last year.
Court Appearance
On Monday, Smurthwaite, of no fixed address, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for theft from a vehicle. The 22-year-old had pleaded guilty to the offence.
The court heard that a man was making deliveries in Surrey Street, Houghton-le-Spring on the morning of February 19 last year. As the man came back from delivering items, he saw that his van - which contained over 50 parcels - was missing and called police but "didn't hear anything back".
It wasn't until the next day that the man found the van parked in another street and police were contacted once again. Laura Peto, prosecuting, said: "Police arrived on scene. When taken, the van contained 52 parcels at £250 in total which were gone from the vehicle. A battery jump-start was also taken."
Investigation and Defence
The court heard that fingerprints were found in the van but Smurthwaite wasn't arrested until months after the theft. In interview, he told officers that his accomplice had told him to "get in [the van] and didn't know what was going on". Smurthwaite had three convictions for five offences, including for burglary and possession of a blade.
Sue Hirst, defending, said Smurthwaite - a father-of-two - has learning difficulties and is "very vulnerable". She said: "It appeared his co-accused was influential in what took place." She added he has mental health issues.
Sentence
Recorder Brian Whitehead sentenced Smurthwaite to a 12 month community order and 15 rehabilitation days. He must also pay a £100 fine.
