A MAN "rescued by armed police" put his brother in danger of arrest when caught shoplifting in York, a court heard.

Lifelong thief Simon Lee Deanes, 28, fled to York from Hull to escape "a frightening situation".

But he continued to steal, and, when arrested, was so afraid of going to jail that he gave his brother's name, said defence barrister Elaine McLaughlin.

Prosecutor Alan Mitcheson said that York magistrates issued a warrant in the brother's name when Deanes skipped bail. But the innocent brother was never arrested, and four weeks later, Deanes confessed to his lie when he was back in police custody.

Deanes, of The Arc Light Centre, Leeman Road, York pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and theft.

He was jailed for nine months, including five months for leading police on a car chase through part of Hull, driving while disqualified, and theft. He was on probation for the Hull matters when he fled to York.

Judge Peter Charlesworth, looking at Deanes's record of 135 offences, said he seemed to have been shoplifting for most of his life.

Miss McLaughlin said that Deanes left Hull "because he had become the victim of a very intense and frightening situation and had to be rescued by armed police officers".

Mr Mitcheson said Deanes stole two watches from The Discovery Store, in York, on September 11, but was spotted walking in St Saviourgate the same day by a store detective who had been at the store earlier. On his arrest he gave his brother's name and was bailed to attend court - which he did not do.

Updated: 10:54 Saturday, November 03, 2001