A BURGLAR apologised yesterday to his victim as he was jailed for two years.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Wayne Fitzpatrick, 30, a heroin and crack cocaine addict, had been in prison 11 times and had been addicted to drugs since he was 14.

In defence, Jonnie Walker said: "It's no consolation to the householder but his attempts to wean himself off crack cocaine have been less than effective.

"He is much aware now of the impact of his offending. He wishes to apologise wholeheartedly to the individual concerned."

Fitzpatrick was released from prison on December 7, said Andrea Pitt, prosecuting.

When interviewed, he admitted four house burglaries in Middlesbrough and Great Ayton, North Yorkshire.

He then called detectives back to his cell, saying: "I've got some other offences I'd like cleared up."

He took police on a tour of 22 other houses he had burgled, the court heard.

Fitzpatrick, of Albert Terrace, Middlesbrough, was jailed for two years after he pleaded guilty to four house burglaries in June and July with 22 similar offences taken into consideration.