A PROLIFIC thief who was caught after a string of burglaries has been jailed.

Drink and drug addict George Geoghegan, of no fixed abode, had already admitted carrying out three instances of theft or burglary ahead of his sentencing at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

Detailing events Prosecutor Jane Brady told the court that the 31-year old’s first offence was while at a hotel in Mid Wales in which he stole an umbrella and a Samsung computer valued at £400.

After returning to the Banbury area Geoghegan, who has dozens of previous convictions, went on to carry out another theft.

The court heard that he stole from a charity box before later carrying out a burglary at a house, in which he stole a Playstation and other electrical items.

In mitigation at the sentencing hearing his defence team argued that he had a long history of drink and drug problems and pointed out that despite a lengthy criminal past he had admitted all of the offences.

Sentencing Judge Ian Pringle QC said that he had no option but to impose a custodial sentence.

He said: “The courts have tried imposing community orders, drug rehabilitation requirements, suspended sentences.”

Geoghegan was jailed for a total of two years and 10 months, made up of 12 months for the Wales burglary, six months for stealing the charity box and 16 months for the house burglary and he was given a conditional discharge for possession of cannabis.