A thief who broke into a police surveillance vehicle was arrested after officers spotted a prominent neck tattoo emblazoned with his surname and date of birth.

Dim-witted Aaron Evans, 21, was filmed breaking into the Peugeot 106, which was planted in a car park, and stealing a satellite navigation device.

Not only did Evans not spot the covert camera filming his every move, but he also provided police with an extreme close-up of the incriminating tattoo, which reads 'Evans 19.9.87'

He was jailed for seven months today after he pleaded guilty to theft and asked for ten other offences to be taken into consideration.

Magistrates in Bristol heard Evans, who cannot read or write, went to an NCP car park in the city on August 13 following an argument with his father.

He broke the passenger window of the Peugeot 106 , which had been set up to catch opportunistic thieves, after spotting the £70 sat-nav device on full display.


Amused officers watched the video playback and arrested Evans on September 4.

Bristol Magistrates Court heard Evans, who has a one-month-old baby, was a persistent criminal who has been in and out of prison for the past four years.

Magistrate Susan Snaddon sentenced Evans, from Lockleaze, Bristol, to a total of 28 weeks in prison.

She said: 'These offences are so serious only a custodial sentence is appropriate.'