Thirsty Newcastle criminal who stole alcohol tracked down and charged with burglary

Northumbria Police were informed of a report of burglary at a premises on Dean Street in Newcastle which took place on the morning of December 2.

More than £1,000-worth of alcohol was taken.

Officers working as part of Operation Spear found CCTV of a suspect forcing entry to the premises through a fire exit door, before jumping over the bar and putting the quantity of alcohol in a backpack before leaving the building.

Police quickly identified the offender as 37-year-old Martin Hart and he was arrested by officers in the Newcastle Quayside area on December 5.

Hart made no comment during interview and was then charged with burglary.

He appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Friday, December 6, and pleaded guilty to the offence after which he was remanded in custody.

Hart, of no fixed abode, is due to appear before the same court to be sentenced on Thursday.

Inspector Karen Madge, of Northumbria Police, said: “Following this report coming in, we worked quickly to trace Hart as the culprit and he was arrested just a few days later.

“We were then able to get him charged and put before the courts where he has admitted this offence.

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“Through proactive Operation Spear, officers operate both in plain clothes and uniform to prevent, detect and deter crime.

“The team actively seeks every possible opportunity to effectively identify suspects and bring them to justice.

“Our hope is that this case shows how seriously we take businesses in our city being targeted and the value of having working CCTV installed as a form of security if you are able to do so.”