Man steals baker's van after being kicked out by partner (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Darlington man steals baker's van after being kicked out by partner

4:37pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Joanna Morris

A MAN stole a baker’s van after his partner left him out in the snow, a court heard today (Thursday February 28).

Geoffrey John Baker, of Zetland Street, Darlington, was kicked out of his home after a row on January 18, said Jonathan Bambro, prosecuting.

He said that Baker spotted a van with its keys in the ignition on West Auckland Road.

The 34-year-old took the van - containing £30 worth of bread – to a Morrisons petrol station where he drove off with £30.01 of diesel without paying. He was arrested next day and the van was recovered.

Baker admitted failing to pay for the fuel, driving without a correct licence, no insurance and taking the van without the owner's permission when he appeared before Darlington magistrates.

He was given an 18 month supervised community order plus eight penalty points.

Ben Pegman, mitigating, said: “He was kicked out by his partner, there was snow on the ground and he had nowhere to sleep. He saw a van running with the keys left in and he acted opportunistically.”