A BURGLAR who carried out his first raid when he was just 12 is behind bars for a crime spree which brought misery to his home town.

One of Darlington's most prolific house-breakers was responsible for more than 20 offences over a two-month period from September.

Shane Preston stole a car, high-value jewellery and electrical goods, and a lap-top computer containing irreplaceable family photos.

Sickened victims told how their feeling of safety has been shattered, one is afraid to leave her home and another is moving house.

One householder who had been asleep with her young child when Preston broke into her home branded the 24-year-old "complete scum".

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, sitting at Teesside Crown Court, told him: "You were committing these offences professionally."

The court heard how he broke into 11 homes - five overnight - and also handled a stolen bike and stole another bike and motorbike.

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson said the other offences on the 23-crime sheet included the thefts of a Volkswagen Golf and a SatNav from a van.

Judge Bourne-Arton rejected defence lawyer Ben Pegman's claim that father-of-three Preston was a drug addict who stole to feed his habit.

He said many of the crimes were so carefully carried out that he could not have been taking substances, and said: "He's a professional."

Mr Pegman told the court: "He expresses remorse. That is genuine because of his conduct in the police investigation.

"The vast majority of these offences were detected and resolved because of Mr Preston's voluntary admissions after his arrest.

"He hoped to give the victims some solace. He has pleaded guilty early, and volunteered a lot of information to the police.

"He realises at this stage of life, with three children, if he doesn't mend his ways, he will not see those children in the future.

"He is young enough to turn things around, and he tells me while in custody he will avail himself of all the help available."

Preston, of Neasham Road, Darlington, was jailed for four years and eight months after he admitted two burglaries, two thefts and handling stolen goods.

He also asked for 18 other offences between September 7 and November 6 to be taken into consideration.

The judge told him: "There are 11 households you have violated, 11 households you have damaged.

"Five were committed at night, and that means five families feel vulnerable, five families feel that their lives have changed.

"You have affected their lives, and you have done so without any thought. They will go through life now feeling psychologically damaged.

"On a number of occasions, children were there. Imagine how they feel knowing some stranger has been in their house and taken their valuable goods."

* In 2004, Preston achieved notoriety after he was given what was described as Britain's toughest Asbo, which banned from entering the Skerne Park Estate.

In 2010, he was jailed for 13 months after holding a knife to his partner's throat, despite previously saying the Asbo had turned his life around.

He has since become a regular at both crown and magistrates courts for a range of offences, including burglary, theft and handling stolen goods.