A SERIAL thief who escaped jail after stealing a bag of teddy bears used to teach children first aid is behind bars again after the detectives investigating the case stepped in to get him recalled to prison.

John Kirk was controversially given a conditional discharge by magistrates yesterday, despite admitting theft while out of prison on licence.

He was jailed in November for stealing a poppy collection tin from Royal British Legion volunteers in Barnard Castle.

Detective Constables Tom Edwards and Neil Stannard, from Darlington CID, who had investigated the latest theft, were so concerned at the lack of remorse shown by Kirk - who refused to help recover the bag he stole - that they approached probation officers to have him recalled to prison.

That recall was agreed first thing today (Friday, January 30) and DC Edwards and DC Stannard personally went to pick him up and take him into custody.

Under the terms of the recall, Kirk will not be eligible for release from prison until October next year.

DC Stannard said: “DC Edwards approached probation after the court hearing and said that we thought Kirk should be recalled.

“He showed no empathy for the victim, he hasn’t helped us to recover the bag he stole and he has shown no remorse.

“Probation were more than helpful and they put the recall in place.

“A lot of people think it’s down to the police that people don’t get put in prison but that is what we are in this business for.”

Kirk’s victim, first aid trainer Sarah Llewellyn, who found Kirk asleep in her car on Greenbank Road, Darlington, said she was delighted to hear the police and probation service had activated the recall.

She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. That man is a disgrace.

“The police have been amazing, it’s just the system that doesn’t work – they let him go.

“I just hope the police get more support from judges and magistrates in future because otherwise the police are just going back and forth, chasing their tails.”

Mrs Llewellyn, who runs Mini Medics, a service which teaches young children and children with special needs what to do in an emergency, said there is still no sign of the teddy bears she uses as teaching aids.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court had heard from Michael Clarke, mitigating for Kirk, that he had been made homeless and broke into Mrs Llewellyn’s car because he was trying to find somewhere warm to sleep.

He added: “He had been drinking and apologised to the owner straight away and was clearly remorseful for what had happened.”