A JUDGE is considering passing consecutive sentences on a repeat burglar who does not appear to be prepared to change his ways.

The comments were made by Judge Christopher Prince after Kevin Michael Brodie admitted his latest burglary offences.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court via video link from the city’s nearby prison, 46-year-old Brodie admitted all three offences, two counts of burglary and one of attempted burglary.

He is said to have taken a quantity of jewellery, three lap-top computers, including one charger device, and an iPad in a break-in at an address in Church Lane, Hunwick, near Crook, on Wednesday July 20.

The second burglary involved the theft of a further quantity of jewellery, a lap-top computer and charger, plus a bag and books, after a farmhouse at Byers Green, near Spennymoor, was broken into, on Thursday September 1.

Brodie is also said to have attempted to burgle a property in Abbott’s Green, Willington, on Thursday September 15.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said the latest offences were committed, “against a backdrop” of many previous burglaries .

Mr Baker said the latest spree came to an end after the defendant was seen trying to enter the targeted address by a neighbour, and was confronted, before being pursued by another nearby householder, “over quite some distance”, and subsequently being pinpointed at a video image identity parade.

Asked about his record, Mr Baker said that in each of 2011 and 2013, the three-strike-plus burglar admitted domestic break-ins and was jailed, in both cases for four years.

But on his release on licence, at about the mid-point of both, he went on to commit further similar offences, landing him back behind bars in each case.

Judge Christopher Prince said: “So, the last sentence was four years, and he comes out and has committed two burglaries and one attempted burglary within a matter of weeks?

“At the moment, I have in mind passing consecutive sentences of about four years each, putting this defendant in danger of a sentence into double figures.

“He can’t just keep being released, and coming out and committing burglary after burglary.”

Judge Prince asked the prosecution for further information about other, earlier burglary offences committed by Brodie, before he passes sentence.

He told Brodie: “You were released subject to licence for burglary, and you have, therefore, demonstrated you will not stop burgling people’s homes.

“The time has come when I will have to look at the history of such offences, given your age, and the appropriate totality of sentence in your case.”

Brodie, of Commercial Street, Willington, will be sentenced on Friday November 11.