A SERIAL thief who tried to run away from police after handling stolen goods has been jailed.

Paul Hutton was in Caversham in March last year when he agreed to take a rucksack containing 33 phones that had been stolen from Superior Accessories on Union Street.

Police suspected he might be involved with drug dealing and had to use a dog to help catch the 38-year-old when he tried to escape.

Hutton was already serving a suspended sentence for matters of fraud, possessing a bladed article in public and shoplifting.

Reading Crown Court heard how 400 phones worth more than £15,000 had been taken from the mobile shop during a burglary a month before he was caught with the phones.

John Fairhead, prosecuting, said: "Police officers were looking for drug dealers and they flagged down Mr Hutton because he had a rucksack.

"They told him to stop but he cycled off and a police dog chased after him, before he abandoned the bag.

"He said someone had asked him to carry the bag for him and agreed without asking any questions."

Hutton, who has struggled with a heroin addiction, decided to take the bag to help a friend without knowing what was inside and activated the suspended sentence worth 50 weeks in prison.

He had previously received a community order for handling stolen goods and was sentenced to a total of 60 weeks on Friday.

Judge Emma Nott added: "You are someone who has been given many opportunities to address your drug problem and it was your search for drugs that has brought you before the courts again.

"This has been a cycle of coming to court and being given a chance and within six months coming back to court for reoffending.

"There is no doubting your sincerity to change, but you are still seeking drugs and committing offences."

Hutton, of Westfield Crescent, Shiplake, admitted to handling stolen goods and obstruction of a constable and received six weeks in prison.

He received a further four months for breaching a community order.