A THREE-STRIKES burglar soon returned to his old ways following his release from a previous prison sentence in the summer, a court heard.

Elroy McArthur was serving a sentence of just under two years and five months for burglary, when he was released on licence at about the mid-point, in June.

Durham Crown Court heard that within three months he was committing further break-ins, in his home town of Darlington.

McArthur, 38, sneaked into a house in Victoria Road, while a resident was out picking up a child from school, during a 25-minute window in mid-afternoon.

The householder returned to the property and thought he had left the door open, but it was only later that he realised an iPad and Kindle computer were missing

Michael Cahill, prosecuting, said the householder subsequently spoke to a man who works in both a takeaway and barber’s shop opposite, and he revealed someone had been into the premises trying, unsuccessfully, to sell an iPad and Kindle.

Examination of cctv footage at both premises revealed a man wearing a Celtic football shirt approaching and leaving the premises with the devices.

The court heard that the victim was shocked anyone would have “the audacity” to sneak into someone’s home to remove property.

Mr Cahill said the following day McArthur walked into a bedroom furnishing shop, on Cockerton Green, and stole a purse from a staff member’s bag.

When in-store cctv footage was reviewed, McArthur was seen entering the premises and delving into the bag, removing the purse, before leaving.

Recognised by police, due to his record of 23 convictions for 71 offences, he was subsequently arrested.

It led to his recall to prison to serve the outstanding period of his previous prison sentence, also for burglary.

Thirty-eight-year-old McArthur, of Cedar Mews, Darlington, who admitted the latest two counts of burglary, was given a further statutory three-year prison sentence, less slightly more than seven months, for his early admissions.

Ben Pegman, for McArthur, told the court the defendant was, “extremely realistic” as to the likely outcome of the case, given his past experience before the courts.

Mr Pegman said on his release, in June, McArthur was initially in a relationship with a partner, which went sour, and he found himself homeless, turning to drugs, with, “an inevitability” of returning to crime to feed his addiction.

Recorder William Lowe told McArthur he was fully aware what the outcome would be.