A BURGLAR who targeted businesses in a market town during a drug-fuelled crime spree is back behind bars.

Leon Robinson struck at four businesses in Barnard Castle in the early hours of the morning – a shop selling electronic cigarettes, a bakery, an art gallery and a fish and chip shop.

Police pulled him over in a stolen Ford Fiesta van in nearby Staindrop at 5am on May 15, and an officer was assaulted in a struggle.

The PC called for back-up and when three colleagues arrived, Robinson spat at them and damaged a cell when he got taken to the station.

Prosecutor Chris Wood told Teesside Crown Court that the 29-year-old was a repeat disqualified driver.

Last October, he was involved in a chase when he refused to stop for police in his Ford Transit van.

He reversed into a patrol vehicle as an officer was getting out his dog, said Dr Wood, and mounted a kerb as he sped off.

Robinson was found trapped on a building site after the short 12.20am pursuit in Hartlepool.

He admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop and having no insurance.

From the Barnard Castle incidents, he pleaded guilty to three burglaries, an attempted burglary, driving while disqualified, taking a vehicle without consent, no insurance, four charges of assaulting a policed officer in the execution of their duty and criminal damage.

He was jailed for a total of 20 months.

The court heard how he stole e-cigarettes and liquid from Nimbus Vape Shop, £50 from The Sandra Parker Studio, £40 from the Moody Baker and tried to get into Katie’s Traditional Fish and Chips.

Judge Howard Crowson told him: “You have a record for assaulting police officers. Agitation led to violence. Let’s hope you can put this behind you.”

Matthew Collins, mitigating, said Robinson, of Seaton Lane, Hartlepool, “flipped and went off the rails” when his ex-partner stopped him seeing their son, returned to taking drugs and to committing crime.

“He just lashed out at the world, but he accepts now having cooled off it is not the way to behave. He is remorseful for that.”

Mr Collins said Robinson has been drug-free since being remanded in custody.

He added: “This is someone who is committed to removing that problem from his life.”