Darlington man who tried to steal charity's van after they gifted him a hat and gloves jailed
A man who tried to steal a charity’s van moments after they had given him a free hat and pair of gloves has been jailed.
Lee Geldard was at King’s Church Foodbank, on Whessoe Road, last Friday (January 10) where staff had given him a new deerstalker hat and a pair of gloves to stay warm in the colder weather. While staff were busy collecting some toiletries for him, Geldard took the opportunity to steal a set of van keys that had been left on a desk.
As staff noticed the van lights coming on in the car park, they immediately ran outside and dragged Geldard out of the driver’s seat. The 50-year-old then dropped the keys and ran off.
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Officers arrested him the following morning and brought him into custody, where was charged with attempted theft of a motor vehicle and failing to provide a sample for drug testing.
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Geldard, of Peabody Street, Darlington, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court yesterday (January 16) where he pleaded guilty to the offences. This also activated a suspended sentence imposed last year for a racially aggravated assault, and he was jailed for seven months in total.
Detective Inspector Claire Callaghan, from Darlington CID, said: "King’s Church provide vital support to the most vulnerable in our community – to target them in this way is despicable. I hope Geldard uses his time in prison to reflect on his actions and their consequences.
"We’d like to thank the staff and volunteers at King’s Church for their quick-thinking actions at the scene, which ultimately stopped Geldard from being able to make off in the van."