Thief Christopher Coulthard who cycled around Britain stealing from over 600 church charity tins complains that ¿collection boxes aren¿t what they used to be¿ Christopher Coulthard, 50, jailed for four years at Hull Crown Court today Targeted collection boxes and antique safes in churches around the country Believed to be responsible for more than 600 church burglaries in Britain Jailed for same offences in 2006 but returned to trade once he was released Told probation worker the money 'does not belong to anyone' Prolific: Christopher Coulthard, 50, was jailed for four years today at Hull Crown Court for stealing from church collection boxes A prolific thief who has targeted more than 600 churches during a 20-year career complained 'collection boxes aren't what they used to be' as he was jailed today. Christopher Coulthard, 50, would cycle around Britain armed with maps and an electrical drill in his saddlebag stealing from charity tins and antique safes in places of worship. And Hull Crown Court heard how he had told his probation worker that the amount of money he could pillage in recent years had diminished 'compared to the good old days'. Coulthard, who has been a thief since the age of 17, was jailed for six years in 2006 and immediately breached his licence as soon as he was released last November. The court heard how a check against the police national database in February showed he was wanted by 12 forces across the country including Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cumbria, Lancashire, Warwickshire and North Yorkshire. Wendy Foster, prosecuting, said he was eventually caught once again after vigilant worshippers at a Sunday service in at Andrew's Church, Ulrome, East Yorkshire, noticed a man acting suspiciously inside the church. As officers were driving to the area, they spotted Coulthard on his mountain bike and arrested him. They found him with maps locating more churches. Miss Foster told the court: 'He said: "If this is about the churches. I am pleased you found me I have been committing the offences because I need the money. Caught out: Coulthard was finally arrested after worshippers at St Andrews Church, Ulrome, East Yorkshire, noticed him acting suspiciously and called police Jailed: Recorder Julian Smith sentenced Christopher Coulthard to four years in prison at Hull Crown Court Coulthard, originally of Bedworth, Warwickshire, was today jailed for four years after admitting four burglaries and asking for 34 church burglaries to be taken into consideration. However, the court also heard that despite visits from other police forces he has refused to cooperate with their investigations into church burglaries elsewhere in the country. He is believed to be responsible for more than 600 church burglaries in his lifetime. Sentencing at Hull Crown Court Recorder Julian Smith said: 'You told the probation officers the money does not belong to anyone. It is there donated and not going to affect anyone. You also commented on the poor return you are now getting compared to the good old days. It is not as you suggest because people are banking money. It is the lack of money about. The collections are diminishing. The churches you burgle are valued to their community. It matters not whether you are religious. They are treasure for their heritage. Often the damage you cause runs into hundreds of pounds. Target: St Martin's Church, Burton Agnes, was one of 34 churches in East Yorkshire where Christopher Coulthard stole money Defence barrister Richard Thompson said Coulthard was released early from his prison sentence even though he did not want to be. He admitted: 'There is something inherently unpleasant about burgling churches, he concedes that. He did not take anything other than cash. There was no ransacking or confrontation. There are some hints he plans a different lifestyle in the future. Recorder Julian Smith added: 'It was clear, this was planned organised offending. There is evidence of drilling and the use of maps to locate the churches There is a level of persistence that makes these offences of a very serious nature. The churches targeted in East Yorkshire included St Oswald's Church, Flamborough, St Mary's Church, Hallgate, Cottingham, Toll Gravel Methodist Church, Beverley, St Martin's Church, Burton Agnes, St John The Baptist Church, Bridlington, The Salvation Army, Bridlington, St John's of Beverley Church, Harpham, St Martin's Church, Lowthorpe, St Mary's Church, North Bar Within, Beverley, St John of Beverley RC, Beverley, and Bridlington Baptism Church, Bridlington.