Thirteen of the toughest jail terms given to South Shields criminals in 2020
These are just some of the longest jail sentences handed out to criminals operating in the South Shields area over the last 12 months.
Unless otherwise stated, the defendants named below were all imprisoned during 2020 at Newcastle Crown Court for their offences.
1. Florin Butonasi
Butonasi, 31, of Balfour Street, Kirkcaldy, in Scotland, was jailed for three years and eight months after admitting burglary and four counts of fraud after stealing a South Shields pensioner's bank card. Photo: Other 3rd Party
2. Reece Convery
Convery, 23, of no fixed address, was jailed for 16 years after admitting attempted robbery, criminal damage, having a bladed article and aggravated burglary in South Shields and Jarrow. Photo: Other 3rd Party
3. Darren Gates
Gates, 50, formerly of Grays Walk, South Shields, was jailed for six-and-a-half years at Teesside Crown Court after he was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Photo: Other 3rd Party
4. Andra-Mihaela Gheorghe
Gheorghe, 29, of Jasper Road, London, was jailed for four years after admitting burglary and four counts of fraud by false representation after she stole a bank card from a South Shields pensioner. Photo: Northumbria Police