Brazen thief walked into Newcastle's Clarendon Fine Art gallery and stole work valued at £10k
A thief who stole a £9,950 artwork from a city gallery has been put behind bars.
Christopher Scott branzenly walked into Clarendon Fine Art in Newcastle, picked up a "spray can" by artist Mr Brainwash, snapped the security cable and left with it.
A female accomplice held the door open to ease his exit.
But Newcastle Crown Court heard Scott, who has 130 offences on his record, was caught on CCTV and easily identified by police officers.
Prosecutor Jordan Parkinson told the court the theft happened on February 5 last year and added: "He entered and approached a piece of art, removed it from its stand, snapping the security cable and left with the piece of art."
Miss Parkinson said the artwork was valued at £9,950 and added: "The offence was captured on CCTV and the defendant was identified by officers."
The prosecutor said the female who held the door for Scott was dealt with by magistrates.
Scott, 44, of no fixed address, admitted theft and unrelated charges of burglary at someone's home where alcohol was stolen and a burglary at a building site where vital tools and equipment were taken.
Jonathan Cousins, defending, said Scott had a difficult upbringing and has post traumatic stress disorder as a result of a stabbing in the late 1990s but has started to make progress on drug treatment.
Mr Recorder Jamie Hill KC sentenced Scott to a total of 1,240 days behind bars.