Thief who hid face with underwear jailed

Carl Robinson was captured on CCTV with underwear hiding his face

A town's most prolific shoplifter tried to hide his identity by covering his face with underwear, police said.

Carl Robinson, of Parker Terrace, Ferryhill, in Durham, was jailed after admitting 10 counts of theft and one attempted theft from a shop in Ferryhill.

Footage of the 32-year with a pair of boxer shorts covering his face was caught on CCTV, Durham Police said.

He received a 40-week prison sentence on Wednesday at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court after being found in breach of a previous conditional discharge for similar offences, police confirmed.

Robinson was arrested on Tuesday after he was caught stealing meat and butter from the town's Co-op and B&M stores.

Due to previous dealings, police said they were easily able to identify him via the shop's CCTV, despite the underwear covering his face.

'Never seems to learn'

Sgt Craig McGuire, of Ferryhill neighbourhood policing team, said: "The team has worked hard to secure these convictions for this prolific shoplifter who never seems to learn.

"Shoplifting has no place in our community.

"It has a detrimental impact on the hardworking staff at these stores and members of the public who witness these offences being committed and it will not be tolerated."

Robinson was also ordered to pay almost £700 in compensation.