A BURGLAR who committed a series of offences has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail.

Dayne Smith, of Ashmole Place, Oxford, admitted one charge of burglary, taking a vehicle without consent, attempted burglary, robbery and theft.

The 21-year-old denied another count of burglary, but was found guilty following a trial and was sentenced for all charges at Oxford Crown Court on Friday.

Benjamin Narain, defending, said: “In terms of remorse, he is deeply sorry.

“He says he realises he has done wrong and wants to break the spiral of offending.

“ He appears to have got in with the wrong crowd in the last few years.”

Mr Narain added: “A doctor has described him as having depression. He was dealt with in a hospital for 10 days.”

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said Smith had burgled a house in Oxford Road, Garsington, on February 21 this year when the owners were away on holiday, stealing a awoman’s jewellery.

Ms Olliver said: “Earrings that had been given to her by her husband were taken. She described herself as devastated by the loss of those.”

Smith also attempted to burgle a house in Hazel End, Garsington, between February 20 and February 23, causing £4,000 worth of damage to the patio door and window.

Ms Olliver added that he robbed a shop in Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys, where he was a regular customer, and was recognised by staff.

Sentencing, Judge Patrick Eccles said: “I have to sentence you for some five separate offences. And you ask me to take into consideration four other offences.

“You come from a decent family by all accounts, with decent work opportunities.”

Judge Eccles branded the shop robbery as “amateur” and added: “You were known to the shop. But there were two women there who were extremely frightened.”

Smith was given two years for the burglary in Oxford Road, Garsington, with three months to be served concurrently for taking a vehicle without consent between February 20 to 23 this year.

A total of 12 months for attempted burglary in Hazel End, Garsington, between February 20 to 23, is to be served concurrently.

A further 12 months is to be served consecutively for robbery of £441.43 on June 12, at the shop in Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys. And six months will be served consecutively for theft of a mobile phone and camera on July 14, in Bournemouth.

Smith was also given 18 months to be served concurrently for burglary in Watlington Road, Oxford, on November 27, 2011, which he had denied before his crown court trial.