A TEENAGER stole a host of DVDs including Superman and Alan Partridge, worth more than £200 as he was homeless and desperate for money.

Matthew John Edward Thompson, from Darlington, went on a six-day shoplifting spree in December, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe heard.

The 18-year-old admitted stealing DVDs worth £209.83 from Sainsbury’s in Darlington on December 6, 7 and 8, as well as two t-shirts worth £8 from Primark on December 12.

Thompson, of Pendower Street, also asked for the thefts of sweets and crisps from Sainsbury’s to be taken into account.

In total, he stole three Despicable Me DVDs, two copies of Monsters University, three Alan Partridge films and 13 Superman Man of Steel boxes.

Rob Hutchinson representing Thompson said the teenager had been homeless at the time and was desperate and stole the DVDs to sell to buy food.

Thompson also admitted failing to turn up at court on January 3 when the case was originally listed.

He was ordered to pay £209.83 compensation to Sainsbury’s, £40 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Thompson was arrested at 1.30am today (January 28), and magistrates said the time he has served in custody would serve as a sentence for his missing the previous court date.