'Brazen' Sunderland bike thief locked up

Scott Quinn was captured on security cameras stealing a cycle from the racks near Sunderland Railway Station's Union Street entrance on July 16.

He was arrested after returning the following week and attempting to steal another bike.

While he was unsuccessful on this occasion, Quinn, who was already banned from the station area due to previous anti-social behaviour, still damaged the racks in the process.

Quinn,19, from St Cuthbert’s Terrace, in Millfield, Sunderland, was sentenced to 18 weeks behind bars at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to theft of a bike, criminal damage and attempted theft.

He was also ordered to pay £115 in compensation.

PC Mark Grozier, of British Transport Police, said after the case: “Brazen Quinn flouted his ban to enter the station and purposefully went there to steal bikes.

“The excellent CCTV at the station caught him in the act and assisted in putting him behind bars.

“Railway stations have excellent CCTV and would-be thieves should be warned that we are committed to both reducing cycle crime and investigating those who see railway stations as easy targets to steal bikes.”