Man jailed under 'three strike' rule

4:33pm Tuesday 20th May 2008

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A MAN who took part in a burglary on an 85-year-old's house which netted £9,000 worth of Rolex watches has been jailed.

Nicholas Mutter, of Silver Street, Trowbridge, received a mandatory term as a three strike' offender because of his history of breaking into houses.

But the 25-year-old was sentenced to only two years and five months after getting seven months off the three year minimum for pleading guilty at the first opportunity.

Lynn Swain, prosecuting, told Swindon crown court how the burglary took place during the day on Tuesday April 8.

The pensioner who lives alone returned to her home on Wingfield Road, Trowbridge, she said, and realised someone had been in the house.

She put down her handbag and went into her bedroom where she was confronted by a man going through her safe.

The burglar covered his face with his hand and fled the house, picking up her handbag as he went.

As well as the two expensive watches the burglar also made off with about £200 in cash and other items from the safe.

Miss Swain said that although the victim did not recognise the burglar her son had spotted someone loitering outside.

Her son then identified Mutter and when he was questioned the defendant admitted carrying out the burglary with another man.

He said he not actually gone into the property but had been acting as a look out while someone else, who he would not name, went inside.

As well as helping with the break in also said he received some of the stolen property which he exchanged at a much reduced value for drugs in Bristol.

Mutter pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary.

The court heard he had been convicted of dwelling house burglary twice in the past making him a three striker.

Alex Daymond, defending, said his client had a lengthy history of offending due to his drug problem.

He said he was the look out and was not aware the property was owned by an elderly lady.

Jailing him Judge Douglas Field said: "You are only 25 and you have got a terrible record."