A burglar went on a two-month crime spree breaking into homes in south Leeds straight after his release from prison.
Christopher Stead was caught red-handed by police after he forced his way into a house in Cross Flatts Grove, Beeston, on December 20 last year.
Leeds Crown Court heard he targeted the property in search of Christmas presents and also stole jewellery in order to feed his chronic addiction to amphetamines.
Richard Smith, prosecuting, said the victim’s father-in-law contacted police after he went around to the property and realised the house had been broken into and saw someone inside with a torch. After his arrest Stead admitted 10 other offences committed between October and December last year.
The offences began shortly after he was released from prison and around £13,000 worth of property was stolen. Stead, 36, of Sissons Grove, Middleton, pleaded guilty to burglary and asked for ten other offences to be taken into consideration.
Jailing him for three years and nine months, judge Geoffrey Marson QC said: “Burglary in Leeds is a particularly endemic problem and the courts have to give sentences which show that this type of offending will not be tolerated.
“Your case is typical of a lot of acquisitive crime committed in order to feed a drug habit. Unless you rid yourself of your drug habit you will spend your life going in and out of custody.”
Anne-Marie Hutton, mitigating, said he had long addictions to amphetamines and heroin.