A SUSPECTED drug user is spending Christmas behind bars after being found asleep in a shop, wearing a stolen jumper and in possession of the keys from a stolen car.

The unnamed offender was locked up on suspicion of committing a range of offences, including stealing a car while under the influence of illicit substances.

Police say the man is suspected of stealing a £169 designer sweater from the Van Mildert store, in Darlington, on Thursday (December 19), before getting into a taxi and fleeing without paying the fare.

He is then said to have gone to a motor repair garage, in an undisclosed location, and made his way to a staff only area, where he stole a body warmer and the keys to a customer’s car.

He stole the vehicle, which was parked outside and later found abandoned.

A spokesman for Darlington police said: “The male committed all these offences whilst being under the influence of drugs and was wearing hospital pyjamas at the time, [he] was found fast asleep in a town centre store, wearing the stolen sweater and in possession of the stolen vehicle keys.”

He was charged with offences including theft, making off without payment, burglary, taking a vehicle without consent, driving while unfit through drink or drugs and driving while disqualified and placed on remand until New Year’s Eve.