A SERIAL burglar returned to his familiar past criminal behaviour within months of his release from his previous prison sentence.

Jonathan Frank Petch burgled an occupied house in Spennymoor in the early hours of May 15.

Durham Crown Court was told the rear door of the property, in King Street, was insecure and Petch is believed to have entered at some time after 3am.

He removed a 50-in television set and a number of bank cards, which he used twice to make relatively low-value purchases at a nearby off-licence shortly after 10am.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said the householder posted a comment about the incident on social media which was seen by the defendant’s sister, who duly returned the stolen television.

Petch was identified on CCTV in the street and was later arrested, remaining silent when questioned about the incident.

Mr Walker said by then Petch had committed six offences of shoplifting, between May 22 and June 3, taking quantities of cigarettes from convenience stores across County Durham.

The court heard the 35-year-old defendant, who was of no fixed address at the time of his arrest, has a “lengthy” offending history, including eight previous burglaries and attempted burglaries on his record, making him subject of “third strike” burglar provisions.

He admitted burglary, two counts of fraudulent use of bank cards and six of theft.

David Callan, for Petch, said on his release from his past sentence, in mid-February, he was “clean”, having previously had cocaine, and sometimes, heroin habit.

Efforts to find him accommodation on his release failed and he began, “sofa surfing”, “mixing with, the wrong crowd again”, returning to his past offending.

Mc Callan said: “He wants to find work. He was working briefly as a roofer.

“He realises at 35 he’s just got to serve his sentence and get out.”

Judge James Adkin said the latest break-in was, “a serious one, of an occupied home” taking a tv set and bank cards, which were used by the defendant.

The court was told that upon his arrested Petch was recalled to prison to serve the outstanding part of his previous sentence and is not due to be released until December next year.

Judge Adkin imposed a 28-month prison sentence, which should lead to the defendant’s release, on licence, at about the same time.

 

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