Fruit machine smasher raided five pubs in months-long rampage across North East

A pub raider who stole thousands of pounds when he targeted five bars and social clubs across Tyneside and Northumberland is facing jail.

Serial thief John Cook broke into the licensed premises between June and November and usually smashed up fruit machines to pocket the cash inside.

A court was told the bungling 39-year-old was snared on each occasion by either leaving an item of clothing or blood at the scene or setting off an intruder alarm.

On his final break-in, at the Lochside pub, in High Heaton, Newcastle, he made off when was confronted by the owners but later tracked down by a police dog.

Now, Cook, who said he was of no fixed abode but is formerly from Coach Road, in Wallsend, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary and was found guilty after a trial in his absence of a fifth count.

He also admitted a separate charge of theft during a hearing at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court.