A BURGLAR who started offending again less than a week after being released from prison has been sentenced to more than four years behind bars.

Anthony Mead will have to serve 300 days of the previous jail term before he starts a three- and-a-half year sentence for his latest spate of offending.

The 26year-old had only been free for six days when he first broke into a car in July last year, stealing a torch and compact discs.

Days later he broke into the same P-reg VW Golf making off with tools worth £120 and various other items.

Just days later he broke into a house on Crandon Lea, Holt, while the occupant was in bed upstairs.

The court heard that of Mead's 94 previous offences, 14 burglaries, 12 of which were house break-ins.

He was jailed for 18 months last year for aggravated vehicle taking and driving while disqualified and was released on July 1 after serving half of the sentence.

Mead, of Wiltshire Crescent, Melksham, pleaded guilty to burglary, two thefts and handling stolen goods. He also asked for counts of handling, taking without consent, burglary of a garage and vehicle interference to be taken into consideration.

Judge Charles Wade said: "These offences, taken singly or together, are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified."