A TRAVELLING thief from Newcastle has been jailed for eight months after he stole rings from a York jewellers.

David Hawthorne, 41, went into TCJ Design jewellers and took four rings before fleeing, York Crown Court heard.

But his actions were spotted and he was caught nearby in Stonegate and stopped. During the incident, he assaulted a man. Police found three rings on him. A fourth is still missing. Together the rings were worth £4,245.

York Crown Court heard he had come to York on a day trip.

Hawthorne, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to shop theft and to assault, though he disputed parts of the prosecution case.

The court heard that since his arrest, he has been given a prison sentence by magistrates in Newcastle for other offences and is currently serving it.

The York sentence will be served concurrently with the Newcastle one.