A THREE-STRIKE burglar who stole a pearl necklace when he broke into a house has been remanded in custody by a judge.

John Light is facing at least three years for the raid as he has already been convicted of dwelling burglary on four previous occasions.

But a judge at Swindon Crown Court has put off jailing the 27-year-old until other matters are heard at court in Basildon, Essex, next month.

Light, formerly of Watercrook Mews, Freshbrook, pleaded guilty to carrying out the raid of the house on Portsmouth Street in the last two weeks of February.

But Judge Peter Blair QC adjourned the case for the other matters to be heard.

He remanded Light in custody until then.

Light was jailed for two years and eight months in March 2013 after he and a friend were caught red handed as they raided a house in Toothill, West Swindon.

They smashed through the front door of the home of a 60-year-old teacher in broad daylight, but a neighbour saw what was going on and called the police.

And in June 2010 he was jailed for two years and 49 weeks for burgling a house in Westlea to fund his crack habit.