Armed serial thief jailed

An armed serial thief is behind bars after being tailed by one of his victims while out targeting parked cars.

Mark McManus, 24, who was wearing high-vis jacket, smashed the side windows of a Jaguar, a BMW and a Ford Fiesta which were parked in the Thornhill area of Sunderland, on March 21 and helped himself to what he could find inside the vehicles. Newcastle Crown Court heard the owner of the Jaguar was alerted by a neighbour that she had spotted someone outside was tampering with parked cars in the early morning.

When he went out to investigate, he discovered both his driver and passenger windows had been smashed and property, including a watch and wallet, had been stolen from inside.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister told the court: "He quickly got into his wife's car and searched the area. He found the male, the defendant, nearby.

"He saw the defendant drop a large knife, about 12in with a gold handle, then saw him pick the knife up again and put it behind his back."

The court heard the victim, who had contacted the police, saw McManus smash the passenger window of a BMW using the base of the knife.

The court heard police quickly tracked down McManus, who was carrying the knife in his waistband, was wearing the stolen watch and was still in possession of the other items he had taken.

Mr Pallister said the Jaguar owner was left "annoyed, stressed and frustrated" by what happened.

McManus, of no fixed address, who has a criminal record and was on a community order imposed in February, admitted three charges of theft from vehicles and one of having a bladed article.

Judge Edward Bindloss sentenced him to eight months behind bars.

Annalisa Moscordini, defending, said McManus had previously been "quite well known" in the Sunderland area as a city centre beggar.

Miss Moscordini added: "He was effectively homeless.

“He has had a very difficult early life. His mother died when he was young and he has no real family to speak of.

"He is trying to get his life back together."