Prolific criminal ‘Billy the Pigeon’ back in jail after admitting 430th offence

A criminal so prolific he is known as ‘Billy the Pigeon’ has returned to jail after admitting his 430th offence.

William Frederick Armstrong, who was dubbed Newcastle’s biggest criminal, began a life of crime in 1996.

‘Billy’ who was named after a father who kept pigeons, was sent to jail after stealing razor blades and whiskey, then raiding a newsagent.

Branded a ‘notorious’ burglar by local police, the 41-year-old was sent to prison less than a month after he was last released.

For his 430th offence he swiped whiskey from Marks & Spencer and took £66 razors from Wilkinson’s before returning to nab more razors worth £49.50.

‘Billy’ was sent back to jail at Newcastle Magistrates Court (Picture: Google)

The prosecution told the court that four days after the incident he took £15 from a staff member’s purse at a newsagent.

In April, Newcastle Police neighbourhood inspector, Nicola Wearing, was tough when she commented on the criminal.

She said: ‘Armstrong is a notorious and prolific burglar who at times can be a one man crime wave.

‘He has caused misery for residents and businesses across Newcastle for years and yet again he has been jailed for committing crimes in the city centre.

‘Armstrong is a menace who’s been arrested countless times over the years.’

Apparently battling a drug problem, with a lack of access to benefits after prison, he was jailed for 12 weeks and ordered to pay £81 compensation.