A serial burglar was described as, “an absolute scourge” on householders in his home community, after a spree ahead of a prison recall, a court heard.

Knowing he was wanted on a recall for failing to comply with licence conditions from a previous sentence , Kyle Mawson, already a ‘fifth-strike’ burglar, carried out six residential break-ins between June 13 and 19.

Durham Crown Court heard four were in his home town of Ferryhill, some sneak, walk-in offences, but others via smashed windows.

In one case he caused damage costing far more to repair than the small amount of petty cash he stole, bring financial misery to the victim.

Read more: Ferryhill fifth-strike burglar admits six break-ins, in six-day spree

The court was told that in two of the offences he used stolen bank cards to make small contactless purchases in nearby shops.

Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said the last two offences in the six-day spree were in Whinney Hill, Durham, after 5pm on June 19, when, in both cases, he was confronted in the act.

Each time he claimed to be looking for a fictitious person, supposedly called ‘John’, before leaving.

Police were contacted and he was found, and arrested, a short distance away in possession of some of the items he had stolen.

Mawson, 36, of Bessemer Street, Ferryhill, admitted six counts of burglary and two of fraud.

Miss Lamballe said among 44 past convictions for 65 offences, the defendant has five previous qualifying cases of burglary on his record, dating back to 2008.

Read more: Ferryhill man charged with several burglaries in town

Kelly Clarke, representing Mawson, told the court: “He doesn’t wish for me to make lengthy submissions about his offending.

“He tells me that, at the time, he was suffering with mental health issues and in supported accommodation, but with an entrenched cocaine habit and in significant drug debt, for which he says he expected to go to sleep and not to wake up.

“He’s aware of his fate today.”

Passing sentence, Recorder Peter Makepeace KC, told Mawson: “You are a professional burglar and have been since 2008.

“You burgle property and steal to feed your drug addiction.

“You’re on licence from from your most recent burglary offence in 2021.

“The reality is you knew you were about to be taken back to prison for your non-compliance with that.”

Recorder Makepeace said his victims have spoken of “feeling violated” by his behaviour.

“You learned you were about to be recalled to prison and you took the view you might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.

“The fact it was while you were drug-fuelled is an aggravating feature.

“No-one could predict how you would react if confronted.

“You are, quite simply, an absolute scourge on this community.

“The public might take the view you should be locked away for the rest of your life.

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“It’s not a question of whether you will offend again, it’s when.

“The only way to stop you is when you are in prison.”

Recorder Makepeace imposed a total 56-month sentence, (four-years-and-eight-months) which would have been seven years had Mawson not pleaded guilty early in proceedings.