See the moment South Shields burglars were caught on CCTV breaking into Greggs and stealing £4,000

Michael Carney took keys and an alarm fob from the employee's handbag and used them to break in to the Bede Industrial Estate bakery with his accomplice David McDougall.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the men made off with a total of £3,938 in cash from the safe during the break-in, where they are captured on CCTV using keys and fob to enter and leave within "about three minutes".

As a result of the overnight burglary, in the early hours of May 19, 2018, the Greggs senior staff member, who was and still is in a relationship with Carney, was arrested and tried for burglary but was cleared by a jury of any involvement.

Carney, 39, of Belgrave Terrace, South Shields, carried out a three-hour rooftop stand off when police went to arrest him and threw tiles down at the officers below.

He later admitted burglary and affray and has been jailed for 18 months.

McDougall, 37, of Beach Road, South Shields, admitted burglary and has been jailed for nine months.

The court heard both men have long criminal records which include previous convictions for burglary.

Judge Edward Bindloss said: "This was a burglary with some professional elements.

"You already had the fob, you already had the keys. This was a quick and effective burglary.

"You knew what you were looking for and you got away with a significant amount of money."

Judge Bindloss said the prosecution of the Greggs worker was a "weak case" and added: "They had no evidence she knew this was going to happen or was party to it and very little evidence she played any active part.

"The jury acquitted her, quite rightly in my view, but she was arrested and had many months of waiting for trial before she was acquitted and in my judgement she has suffered along with Greggs."

The judge told Carney: "She lost her job and was dragged into the courts, all because you stole the keys and used information you were privy to."

The court heard the Greggs shop had to close while new locks were fitted and the safe was replaced and the raid caused "upset" to the staff.

Nick Lane, defending Carney, said: "He would wish, through me, to apologise for the harm he caused to the company and most significantly would wish me, on his behalf to apologise to (the woman). He has done so in person and surprisingly she remains supportive of him and they remain in a relationship.

"He took the keys without her knowledge or consent. He accepted that."

Mr Lane said Carney had been using "illicit drugs" at the time but has since sought help, accepted support and "turned his life around".

Joe Hedworth, defending McDougall, said the raid was "opportunistic and unplanned".

Mr Hedworth said McDougall was unaware how Carney had got hold of the keys and had got involved after they bumped into each other by chance.

Mr Hedworth added: "He is ashamed of his actions and he is ashamed he let temptation get the better of him."