THE full extent of a crime spree conducted in numerous North Wiltshire villages by a prolific burglar has been revealed after he was sentenced to a seven-year stretch.

David Carlisle, from Modcombe Grove, Henbury, Bristol, pleaded guilty to 103 break-ins when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court last week.

The 32-year-old drug addict had been active in Wiltshire and numerous neighbouring counties, where he committed between one and three burglaries each day over a period of three months last summer.

He admitted to a total of 56 offences in Wiltshire, with properties in Brinkworth, Stanton St Quintin, Ashton Keynes, Corston and Cricklade known to be among the many he targeted.

Although Wiltshire bore the brunt of his crimes, he committed 29 burglaries in the Thames Valley Police area, 13 in Avon and Somerset, three in Gloucestershire and two in Hampshire.

The value of stolen property was more than £200,000, the vast amount of which has not been recovered.

He was bought to justice following an operation by the Melksham Police burglary unit.

Detective Sergeant Tamara Campe, who headed the team, said: "This enquiry was conducted over a long period of time and illustrates how an active cross border burglar operates.

"His arrest has contributed to a huge reduction of instances of reported domestic burglaries in this area and the sentence relects the severity of his activities."

Carlisle would target rural and semi-rural properties, usually four bedroomed homes, and gain access by smashing windows at the rear on the ground floor of the properties.

Once inside, Carlisle would take high value items, ussually cash, jewellery, gold, furniture and electrical items, he would sometimes steal a vehicle to make his escape.

At an earlier appearance at magistrates' court in Chippenham on September 8, prosecutor Nicola Jennings had revealed how Carlisle would also research police response times for the areas he targeted.

He was captured after leaving fingerprints and DNA evidence at the scene of one of his break-ins - all of which were committed to fund his addiction to drugs.

Detective Inspector Craig Holden added: "This is an excellent example of our intelligence gathering operations being brought to a successful conclusion.

"Many members of the public were able to assist with small pieces of information, which when put together helped in our preparing a successful case against this prolific burglar."