A CONVICTED burglar who in 2019 was caught hiding behind a curtain by the owner of a stately home was warned he faced jail – after he admitted drug dealing and possession of indecent images.

Thomas Trickey, 21, was sent to a young offenders’ institution for 20 months two years ago after he admitted burgling the Cirencester Park mansion.

Then 20, Trickey was caught hiding behind a set of curtains by aristocrat Lady Sara Bathurst, who grabbed him by the collar, marched him to the kitchen then called the police. She later told the court that she and her husband needed to feel safe in their own home, but the burglar had “shattered that illusion” of safety.

Appearing before Swindon Crown Court on Tuesday morning, Trickey, of Cheltenham Road, Stratton, near Cirencester, pleaded guilty to a charge of being concerned in the supply of psychedelic drug 2C-B between February 17 and May 26, 2019.

He has already admitted being concerned in the supply of methadone and Diazepam, as well as making indecent images of children in categories A, B and C.

Trickey was bailed to be sentenced on May 28. Ordering a pre-sentence report, Judge Peter Crabtree said: “You’ve heard what I’ve just said. It is a serious offence, the other matters are serious as well. The starting point is custody.”

Christopher Wing appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service. Trickey was represented by Pina Silvio.