Vagrant back in jail for church thefts

Christopher Coulthard, of no fixed address, admitted four burglaries from churches and the Salvation Army and one theft from a church. He was sentenced at Hull Crown Court yesterday.

The 50-year-old, who was wanted on prison recall, was arrested in February after a worshipper at St Andrew’s Church, in Ulrome, East Yorkshire, spotted someone acting suspiciously and contacted police.

Coulthard travelled the country by bicycle and stayed at bed and breakfasts, pubs and hotels using a false name.

Formerly of Bedworth, near Nuneaton, he was wanted by Warwickshire Police for recall to prison after breaching the terms of his licence following his release from a nine-year sentence imposed in 2010.

The burglaries took place at St John’s Church, Harpham, St Hilda’s, Amplethorpe and St John the Baptist, Cayton, the theft from St Peter and St Paul’s, Pickering, and burglary at the Salvation Army in Wellington Road, Bridlington.