A “THREE-STRIKE” burglar has finally paid the price for his activities after landing a mandatory three-year sentence for the crime.

Thomas Pye forced entry via the rear door of the premises of a woman who was away from home for a week in late April and early May.

Durham Crown Court heard she returned to the house, in Leeholme Road, Leeholme, near Bishop Auckland, to discover the lower panel of the rear door lying on the kitchen floor.

Amrit Jandoo, prosecuting, said further examination revealed two television sets, a handbag and other property were missing.

Pye made denials when interviewed by police, and, having been warned that forensic lifts taken from the property linked him to the break-in, he fell silent.

But the 27-year-old, of Buckingham Terrace, Leeholme, admitted burglary, which put him in breach of a suspended jail term imposed for burglary, at the crown court last November.

Phillip Morley, mitigating, said there was no deliberate targeting of the victim, as the break-in was merely drug-related to fund his habit.

Mr Morley said the defendant has “welcomed” his time in custody to enable himself to, “sort himself out”.

Recorder Andrew Dallas told Pye: “Last November you were given a chance with a suspended sentence.

“But you went out a few months later and forced your way into that property, causing the householder considerable distress.

“I’m afraid someone committing their fourth offence of burglary, however young they may have been when the first two were carried out, must expect to receive the full sentence.”

He imposed the mandatory three-year sentence, less four months for Pye’s ‘guilty’ plea.