Burglar escapes jail term

Maria Mularczyk was on a cocktail of drink and drugs when she burgled a total of four houses to fund her drug addiction, Swindon crown court heard on Friday.

When officers went to arrest her they found she was growing cannabis plants.

But after hearing the 21-year-old had no previous convictions, Judge John McNaught decided to put her on an 18-month drug treatment and testing order.

Richard Thomas, prosecuting, said the first offence took place on July 8 when Mr Osborne was burgled as he slept at his home in Elmfield Close.

Mularczyk stole a £180 minidisc player, a PlayStation worth £200 along with a wallet containing the householder's driving licence.

Mr Thomas said she burgled a house in Cedar Court on October 10.

On that occasion homeowner Mrs Larson was asleep when Mularczyk stole £70 cash, a metal pillbox and a Nokia mobile phone.

As a result of the two break-ins she was arrested and while the pillbox was recovered none of the other items were found.

Officers later found two cannabis plants, which she was growing at her home in Hillcrest Flats, Highfield.

At a previous hearing, Mularczyk admitted two counts of burglary and one of cultivating cannabis and asked for two further burglaries to be taken into consideration.

Alex Daymond, defending, said his client had made contact with the Bath Area Drugs and Alcohol Advisory Service and had been attending on a voluntary basis.

He said: "She explained the reason she committed the offences as at the time she was under the influence of a cocktail of drink and drugs. It is clear she intended to sell the items on, and did so, to finance that."

Judge McNaught told her if she failed to comply with the drug treatment and testing order she would almost certainly face jail.

"These were four night-time burglaries of occupied houses. People often go to prison, almost always go to prison for that. It is not an easy ride and if it fails then prison will be there waiting for you."