A BURGLAR already serving 20 months in prison had four more months added to his sentence after admitting another break-in.

Steven Woods, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to carrying out the crime at St Aldate’s, in Oxford city centre, on September 20.

Henry James, prosecuting, said the 31-year-old stole a laptop computer and a digital camera from a student flat occupied by Charlotte Fuscone.

He told Judge Mary Jane Mowat that the following day Woods carried out a similar burglary nearby, for which he had already been sentenced to 20 months in prison.

Mr James explained that the first burglary only came to light after Woods was sentenced for the second.

He explained that this meant it did not qualify Woods for the mandatory minimum three-year sentence for three consecutive domestic burglaries – even though he already has a break-in on his record. Mr James added that the defendant was charged with both burglaries after his fingerprints were found at the crime scenes.

Peter Du Feu, defending, said his client had a long-term relationship and three children with a partner who had told him she would leave if he didn’t turn his life around.

He told the judge that Woods, who was addicted to drugs, recognised it was time to “grow up” and stop offending.

Judge Mowat sentenced him to four months in prison, to run consecutively with his other sentence, and told him to pay an £80 victims’ surcharge.