A PROLIFIC burglar who carried out a mini crime spree before Christmas, including a break-in at the home of a holidaying couple, has been jailed for six years and four months.

Graeme Park admitted involvement in the burglary, at the house in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, late on December 20, but claimed he only assisted others who entered the property.

Durham Crown Court heard that a neighbour noticed lights on, at the house, at 11pm and assumed the couple who live there must have returned from holiday.

Sam Faulks, prosecuting, said a Kia Soul car was moved off the drive, but a second car was in the process of being moved, when it became stuck on a low wall.

The male driver left it in situ, and made off, over a garden fence.

Mr Faulks said the householders returned home the following day to be greeted by the sight of police and a recovery vehicle outside the property.

The couple discovered 13 items of jewellery, including watches, two computers, cash, a handbag and car keys had been taken.

Mr Faulks said the total value of the items was estimated at more than £17,200, with more than £7,900-worth still outstanding.

Park and his partner at the time, Vanessa Lee Booth, sold some of the jewellery for £760 at two pawnbroker’s shops in Newcastle the following morning. His DNA was subsequently discovered on the back of a cupboard at the house, linking him to the crime.

The Kia was only found on January 15, and although it appeared undamaged, the owner said it did require some bodywork repairs.

Mr Faulks said the other car was damaged and the house ransacked in the burglary.

Park was arrested at Booth’s address, on Christmas Eve, and a pawnbroker’s receipt was found in his bag, leading to the recovery of some of the jewellery.

Booth was arrested on Christmas Day.

Mr Faulks said their arrests followed a further break-in, involving both, at a hairdresser’s shop in Tantobie, near Stanley, early on Christmas Eve, leaving with charity money, a Christmas present and hair products in a Ford Transit van.

Park, also tried, unsuccessfully, to break into social club premises in Craghead, near Stanley, early on Christmas Eve.

The 37-year-old defendant, of no fixed abode, admitted two burglaries, one attempted burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, and fraud, relating to the pawnbroker’s sales.

Booth, 38, formerly of Thomas Street, Craghead, admitted the fraud charge and one burglary.

Dan Cordey, for Park, said he was a repeat offender with multiple convictions for domestic and non-domestic burglaries, but, “thankfully” there were no confrontations during his pre-Christmas crimes.

Stephen Constantine, for Booth, said she became involved with Park following his early release from a previous sentence, last October, and began abusing drugs.

But he added that she had now spent five months in custody, since her Christmas Day arrest.

Passing the sentence on Park, Judge Christopher Prince told him it appeared that he was “simply unwilling to desist” from such offending and faced the prospect of spending longer behind bars.

He imposed a six-month sentence on Booth, which should have ensured her release, due to time spent in custody on remand.