Mark ThirkettleA SERIAL burglar stole an 86-year-old's handbag from a bedside table while she slept, a court heard.

Brazen intruder Mark Thirkettle, 32, also helped himself to alcoholic drinks from the pensioner's home.

Swindon Crown Court was told the drug addict, who had 28 convictions for 105 offences dating back 15 years, crept into his victim's home in Woodside Avenue in Walcot early on October 12.

The elderly woman awoke and disturbed the burglar before raising the alarm.

When police raided Thirkettle's home in Axbridge Close, Park North, they found a passport belonging to the pensioner.

Thirkettle currently serving a prison sentence for similar offences pleaded guilty to charges of theft and assaulting a police officer with intent to resist arrest.

Prosecutor Sam Butterfield said: "This was a night-time burglary from a house that was occupied.

"The handbag was taken from a bedside table next to the sleeping victim."

Rob Ross, defending, urged the court to spare his client a further prison sentence for the fresh offences.

He said his client was making every effort to turn his back on crime, which had marred all of his adult life.

"I am not going to pretend that this is not a serious matter and I am acutely aware that this is yet another dwelling house burglary," said Mr Ross.

"But this is not somebody who is at the beginning of their criminal career.

"He appears to have shown some change in his attitude, getting involved in drug treatment programmes.

He has also been in contact with DrugLink.

"I am sure we are dealing with someone today who, for the first time in his life, is beginning to take himself seriously."

But Judge John McNaught said such was the seriousness of the crime that prison was the only option.

Sentencing Thirkettle to three years imprisonment for the theft and three months for the assault, he said: "I cannot defer sentence in this case.

"I can see no reason why I should do that despite the fact that you have made big efforts in prison.

"The police have a difficult job as it is and it's not fair that they should be assaulted."

As he was being led away flanked by two security guards he uttered: "Fair enough".

Kevin Shoesmith