Crimewave man admits burglaries (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Crimewave man admits burglaries

'CAREER burglar' Lee Stratford was this week behind bars after magistrates decided he would offend again if let out on bail.

Stratford, who has admitted carrying out a string of offences in the Cirencester area to fund his heroin addiction, was so prolific he made stealing his "profession", Cheltenham Magistrates heard.

The 27-year-old, of Jubilee Green, Cirencester, admitted stealing jewellery, money and electrical goods from two houses in the town and asked for 14 other offences to be taken into consideration.

After hearing about his lengthy previous record, magistrates decided he was too great a risk to be allowed out on bail and remanded him in custody until he is sentenced.

Gavin Collett, prosecuting, told Cheltenham magistrates on Monday: "It seems he has a lengthy track record. He's a man who has made his occupation, almost a profession, of burgling people's dwellings. There is fear of further offending."

The court heard that Stratford broke into a house in Victoria Road on February 20 and stole a laptop computer, digital camera and a wallet, while the occupants were in.

He then broke into a home in Cranhams Lane and stole cash and jewellery.

In relation to the latter offence, Mr Collett said: "She (the owner) returned home to find a window had been forced. You can imagine the effect upon a lady coming home and discovering her personal possessions have been stolen."

Magistrates were told that Stratford, who had been held in custody after his recent arrest, had previously served time in prison for burglary.

The 14 offences Stratford asked to be taken into consideration were burglaries from mainly commercial premises in the Cirencester area.

Howard Ogden, defending, applied for bail and suggested Stratford be given a curfew order and tagged.

He said his client had stolen to feed his heroin addiction but that he was taking steps to address the problem, with the support of his girlfriend Danielle Mottram and drug rehabilitation agencies.

He said: "She (Miss Mottram) has been working with him on the issue of addressing his drug addiction.

"Further, he's secured employment with his partner's father. He's off heroin and is on methadone spirit."

But magistrates decided there was too great a risk of Stratford re-offending for him to get bail and he was led back to the cells by two security guards.

Head of the bench John Morley told him: "There is substantial reason to believe you would continue to commit further offences on bail.

"The seriousness of the offences will also be taken into account." Stratford will be sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court at a date to be fixed.