A Newbury man has been jailed for 40 weeks after pleading guilty to a string of fraud and vehicle theft charges. 

Colin Black, 29 of Oakley Road, Newbury appeared in Reading Magistrates Court yesterday (21/11) where he was sentenced for five counts of vehicle interference, three counts of theft from a motor vehicle and two counts of fraud by false representation.

After fleeing to a property in Birmingham, Thames Valley Police travelled to the address where he was arrested and then charged.

Investigating officer, Sergeant John Heatley, based at Newbury police station, said: “I am very pleased with this result.

“We take acquisitive crime seriously and now that Colin Black is behind bars this is likely to prevent further offences across Newbury over the festive period.”

The incidences started on November 5 when he attempted to gain access to vehicles in Victoria Grove and Stroud Green. A first aid box was stolen on Victoria Grove.

The following day, 6 November, Black again attempted to gain access to a vehicle in Howard Road and Victoria Grove. A wallet and two pairs of glasses were stolen from a vehicle.

Black used one of the cards in the wallet to purchase food on two occasions. He failed to use the card a third time.

Later that evening, Black gained access to a vehicle on Brummel Road and stole a purse. In the early hours of November 7, he attempted to use one of the cards in the purse to purchase goods but was unsuccessful.

Also on 7 November, he attempted to gain access to vehicles on Pelican Lane and York Road, but was unsuccessful.

Sergeant Heatley added: “Once Black knew he had been identified, he attempted to evade capture by leaving the area to stay in a property in Birmingham. However, once we identified the address my team travelled to Birmingham to arrest him and bring him back to the Thames Valley to face the consequences for his actions.”

Black was arrested on Saturday (19/11) and charged on Sunday (20/11).

He added: “I would like to thank the officers and PCSO’s from the Newbury Neighbourhood Policing Team for their hard work and also the public for their support in this investigation.”