145 crimes on record for ex-couple.

A FORMER couple with a record of 145 offences between them have been jailed for their latest crimes.

Lorraine Hart, 30, who has a 13-year-old daughter, claimed her eight-year relationship with Craig Hodgson, 28, had been disastrous, said her lawyer.

The couple were arrested after a car was stolen during a burglary in Stockton and used to steal pounds 105 of diesel before it was found burned out in an alleyway in the town.

Hours after the Volkswagen Polo was stolen, Hart was seen unloading it in Stockton at 6.30am before wiping the door handles, said prosecutor Jolyon Perks.

A female witness saw Hodgson counting money and then putting on gloves before driving off.

The car''s owners had been in bed asleep when their house was burgled and a handbag with pounds 140 cash was among items stolen, Teesside Crown Court was told.

The Polo was later caught on security CCTV at Stokesley Motors where it drove off with plastic drums filled with pounds 105 of diesel.

The same day, a Mercedes Sprinter van was broken into on the Terry Dickens Industrial Estate, Stokesley, and Hodgson''s blood was found on the point of entry, added Mr Perks.

Hours later, the Polo was found burned out in a Stockton alleyway. The couple were not charged with its arson, but Hodgson admitted it was damaged during the time he drove it.

Robin Denny, defending Hart, said the eight-year relationship with Hodgson had been disastrous for her, and it was now at an end.

She had been introduced to heroin when she was 19 and when she met him, he had just finished a long prison sentence.

She was now reconciled with her parents in Thornaby and wanted to put offending behind her.

Ian West, defending, said Hodgson had an insight into the upset and distress he had caused his victims, and he knew that he was facing another jail sentence.

Judge George Moorhouse told the couple, of Outram Street, Stockton, they both had appalling criminal records.

Hodgson had been convicted of 94 offences covering 29 occasions, and Hart 51 offences and 17 occasions.

Hodgson was jailed for three years and disqualified from driving for three years after he admitted the June 13 burglary with five more burglaries taken into consideration, aggravated vehicle taking, diesel theft and attempted theft. He was ordered to pass an extended driving test before driving again.

Hart was jailed for nine months and disqualified for 12 months after she admitted all the offences except the burglary, on which the Crown offered no evidence against her.

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LOCKED UP: Craig Hodgson was jailed for three years