DETECTIVES have warned burglars to expect heavy sentences after a multiple offender was jailed for four-and-a-half-years.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian MacDonald, of Darlington CID, said he was delighted with the sentence handed down by Teesside Crown Court to Clinton Ross.

Ross admitted five burglaries and asked for another 34 burglaries and attempted break-ins to be taken into consideration at Teesside Crown Court.

The 21-year-old also admitted breaking into a car to steal £600 worth of cameras - and the court was told his offending was all to feed his heroin habit.

Michael O'Neill, prosecuting, said Ross broke into the home of people he knew, and who had given him a lift on the same day, on November 18 last year.

He stole property worth £1,250 from the house in Outram Street, Darlington - his home town. All of his burglaries took place in the town.

Ross then broke into a house where a woman lay asleep. Mr O'Neill said she lived near Ross in Corporation Road, and the burglar had got into her home by coming in through a roof void and opening a trap door.

He stole her handbag and other items worth £387, he said.

His other burglaries netted him property worth £2,260, £3,000 and electric guitars.

Mr O'Neill said it was these guitars which led police to Ross as when he had put them up for sale in a local shop. He had given his real name and they were soon spotted by their owner, who called police.

Greg Purcell, for Ross, said he had a £100-a-day heroin habit, and had been taking the drug since he was 14. He said he was ashamed of what he had done.

DCI MacDonald said after: "We are delighted that Clinton Ross has been taken off the streets of Darlington.

"He was a prolific burglar and the sentence of four-and-a-half years should be a message to other people considering burgling houses in Darlington that, when they are caught, they can expect a lengthy prison sentence.

"We are delighted with the support given to us by the crown court."