THIS is the face of a man who has become the latest York criminal to be brought to justice thanks to The Press.

Our Crime Gallery, which sees us publish CCTV images of suspected thieves caught on camera in the city and asks our readers to help police identify them, proved instrumental in Shaun Galloway being punished for stealing a woman's bike.

When he saw his picture staring back at him in our monthly appeal before Christmas, it pricked his conscience and he handed himself in, eventually being given a 12-month conditional discharge after admitting the theft outside the Somerfield branch in Beagle Ridge Drive in Foxwood last September.

Originally, York Police wanted to trace the 25-year-old, from Kingsway West in Acomb, on suspicion of shoplifting, but although he had not taken anything from the store, he confessed he had stolen the £120 bike outside the shop.

Angela Smith, prosecuting, told York Magistrates' Court: "The theft happened at around 6.30pm on September 29, when the owner of the bike realised it was missing and reported it to security staff.

"CCTV captured the offence occurring and a picture of the defendant was circulated to the local press. He saw it in the paper, contacted police and effectively surrendered himself. He made a full and frank admission when interviewed, saying he had not got a bike of his own so had taken it. On the way home, he panicked when he heard police sirens and left the bike in bushes."

Andrew Craven, for Galloway, said: "The bike was left unlocked and he accepts he came along and stole it - he was using it to get back to his home, then panicked.

"It was reported that he was suspected of shoplifting, but that was not the case and he now wants to set the record straight. He has been making good progress since and I would like him to be given credit for the amount of effort he has put in to get himself back into the system."

Galloway was also ordered to pay £120 compensation to the bike's owner and £35 court costs.

Crime Gallery - published exclusively in The Press every month - is the first collaboration of its kind between North Yorkshire Police and the media, with every call it generates being acted upon.

Since it was launched at the beginning of November, our readers have been able to help police identify nine of the 15 suspected criminals featured.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Warnes, of York CID, said: "This court case is on the back of the success of Crime Gallery and the police and The Press working together to give the public the opportunity to identify offenders. "We have had a great response from the public and we continue to ask that they support us in this, as it is great news for victims of crime when offenders are brought to justice.

"The quality of CCTV these days means that it is fairly easy for us to identify offenders and we would encourage anybody who sees their picture in Crime Gallery to come forward and contact us, because eventually we will trace them and catch them."

Anybody who recognises Crime Gallery suspects should phone York Police on 0845 606247 and quote the relevant picture's reference number.