A PROLIFIC burglar has appeared back in court after admitting breaking into two more houses during a crime spree last summer.

David Hurst, 42, was jailed for two years and nine months back in January after pleading guilty to two counts of burglary and attempted burglary.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Hurst, of Cawdor Avenue, Farnworth, repeatedly targeted his neighbour’s properties and on one occasion was chased by a woman homeowner after she woke to find him in her bedroom.

Appearing back at Bolton Crown Court via videolink from HMP Forest Bank, Hurst listened as Andrew Mackintosh, prosecuting, gave details of two more burglaries committed by the heroin addict.

Mr Mackintosh said CCTV footage showed Hurst cycling towards a house on Boscobel Road carrying a crowbar at around lunch time on August 29.

The homeowners later found the kitchen window had been forced and a laptop and other items taken.

The footage then showed Hurst returning on foot and entering the garden of a neighbouring house which he entered via a rear window and stole a laptop, tablet, cash and jewellery.

Hurst was recognised from the CCTV and arrested the following day.

Mr Mackintosh said the owner of the second property was “very disappointed with police” as he had reported Hurst regularly passing his house.

David Morton, defending, told the court how Hurst had returned to taking drugs after 12 years of abstinence following the death of his parents.

He said Hurst was “appalled with himself for treating his neighbours in such an appalling way”.

Mr Morton added that Hurst was working as a “safety monitor officer” in prison where he dealt with disputes on the wing and was a “calming influence” who had an “amazing” relationship with prison staff.

The Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh, handed Hurst a nine month sentence to run concurrently with his previous sentence of 33 months meaning he will be released in January 2021.