A thief who was caught stealing a bottle of milk by a doorbell camera has been jailed.

Michael Smart has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of theft by finding, burglary, and theft of a motor vehicle.

Over the course of five weeks, the 47-year-old stole milk, a car, a credit card and money from a church plate.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Charlotte Owen said: "We hope that this goes as a warning to would-be thieves."

On November 12, 2023, Smart stole a collection bottle containing around £250 from St Albans Church in Chester Road, Macclesfield.

He was identified on CCTV by a local officer as the person responsible.

The following day, Smart stole a Hyundai Tucson from Highbank Road in Congleton.

The car was fitted with a tracker which recorded five separate trips before eventually being left in Longacre Street in Macclesfield.

Police and the victim attended and the car, which had been damaged, was taken to be forensically tested.

A positive DNA match came back to Smart, who had no previous connection to the victim or the vehicle.

Michael Smart, of Great King Street, Macclesfield (Credit: Cheshire Police)

Then, at around 4.45am on December 19, 2023, Smart entered a house in Bath Vale Cottages, Bath Vale, Congleton.

The victim in this incident checked their doorbell camera footage after noticing their milk hadn't been delivered.

It showed Smart entering the property before leaving with the bottle of milk, which was on the doorstep.

They later discovered their credit card had been stolen, with the bank contacting them to flag unusual activity, namely two transactions at a vape shop, five PayPoint transactions and two transactions at a jewellers.

Police reviewed the doorbell footage and identified Smart.

The card was also used by another man, Jordan Forster, 27 and of no fixed address, who was identified through CCTV at the jewellers and the vape shop making the transactions with the stolen card

He pleaded guilty to receiving stolen goods and fraud by false representation at Crewe Magistrates Court.

On February 25 this year he was handed a four-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a £150 surcharge.

Meanwhile, Smart, of Great King Street in Macclesfield, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, August 6, for sentencing.

Alongside his three year prison sentence he was ordered to pay a surcharge of £228.

"This case really does highlight the benefit of CCTV and doorbell footage," said PC Owen.

"Our enquiries and the local knowledge of our officers led us to identify who was responsible for these crimes and put them before the courts.