A ‘PROLIFIC’ burglar has been sentenced to four and a half years behind bars.

Oliver Reed, 44, formerly of Bowood Road, pleaded guilty to unlawfully entering a property in Faringdon Road and stealing the victim’s car when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court today.

Crown prosecutor Philip Warren presented the case.

The court heard that, on March 13, Reed - who has to his name 43 previous convictions - broke into a house in Faringdon Road and stole speakers, an iPhone worth £200, two laptops and an iPad worth £135.

He also took the victim’s Peugeot 107 before dumping it in Freshbrook.

Mr Warren said that Reed’s “biggest mistake” was taking the stolen speakers to a second-hand shop just 15 minutes after executing the burglary. He got £45 for them.

“The only items recovered were the speakers and the car,” said Mr Warren.

Tony Bignall, defending, concurred with Recorder Jason Taylor’s view that Reed was a “prolific” burglar but pointed out that he hadn’t made much financial gain from the crime.

“These are not professional heists in which major profits are made. However, I wouldn’t seek to minimalize the distress that was caused to the victim,” Mr Bignall said.

“The offending is a great deal more foolish than wicked.”

Summing up, recorder Jason Taylor, said: “The facts are very straight forward. You had been caught on CCTV taking items from the house to the car and driving it away.”

Reed was jailed for four years and six months.

Mr Taylor said: “If, on your release, you commit more burglaries the sentences are just going to go up and up and up.”

He accepted the judge’s decision and issued a nod to people sitting in the public gallery as he was led away.

PC Jonathan Kilburn, of Wiltshire Police, said: “This is a great result for officers from the Community Policing Team who carried out enquiries to locate both the vehicle and Reed, who was swiftly arrested.

“We understand how distressing burglaries can be for the victims – often it is items of significant financial value that are stolen, but sometimes it can be sentimental items that are impossible to replace.

“In this case, a number of electrical items were stolen, as well as the victim’s vehicle.

“I am pleased with the custodial sentence handed out to Reed and would like to thank all the officers involved in this investigation, as well as the victim who has been patient while officers have carried out the investigation and put this man before the courts.

“I hope the sentence sends out a strong message to others intent on engaging in such criminality that we will carry out extensive enquiries to ensure justice is done."