A BURGLAR who stole thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes and alcohol from shops in Oxfordshire has been jailed.

Wayne Axtell, of Gatteridge Street, Banbury, had already pleaded guilty to two burglaries at Spar, Bodicote, on February 19 and at the Garage Shop, Long Hanborough, on February 21.

Oxford Crown Court heard as the 35-year old was sentenced on Tuesday that in both cases he had stolen numerous packets of cigarettes and booze.

At the fist break-in he had, together with an unnamed accomplice, broke in through a window and used a sheet to load the items on before wrapping them up and fleeing.

At the Garage Shop, the court heard, this time on his own he again broke in through a window before taking about £1,500 worth of goods before also snatching three charity boxes for charities.

When police came to his address to arrest him they found what was described by prosecutor Henry James as his 'burglars outfit' of various items of black clothing.

A white sheet was also seized which he had used to pile the goods into before wrapping them up in a 'swag bag' on each occasion before fleeing the scene.

The court heard that he initially told police that the sheet had been used in cutting hair, before he later admitted the charges.

In mitigation, Kellie Enever said that her client accepted responsibility for what he had done and was 'remorseful'.

She added that an addiction to drugs had been the driving force behind the break-ins.

Sentencing Judge Ian Pringle QC said: "I think he is genuine in his remorse but he has got a poor record and these are serious offences he has committed.

"You targeted this commercial premises with others."

He added: "I'm quite convinced that you genuinely want to turn your life around."

Axtell was jailed for a total of nine months for each burglary to run concurrently.