Serial offender Steven Salt jailed after being found with stolen laptop

SERIAL offender Steven Salt has been jailed after getting into a pub through an open window and stealing property.

The 34-year-old, above, who has a lengthy criminal record of 108 previous offences, broke into the living quarters of a pub in the middle of the night.

And while on bail for that offence he handled stolen goods from another burglary, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor David Bennett said Lee Roberts, the licensee of the Cat Inn in Keelings Road, Northwood, went to bed at 1.30am on June 1.

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"He secured all doors and windows, apart from a window on the landing which he left open for ventilation," said Mr Bennett.

"He woke again at 6am and discovered the landing window wide open and footprints.

"The intruder left through a fire door."

A laptop, cash and Mr Roberts's daughter's handbag and contents were stolen from the living room.

CCTV showed the defendant in and around the pub between 2am and 3am. Salt was recognised by an officer who viewed the footage.

The defendant was arrested on June 3 and denied the burglary in a prepared statement.

While he was out on bail, Salt was found in possession of goods stolen in a burglary of a house in Cromer Crescent, Northwood.

Mr Bennett said the homeowners went to bed at 11pm on July 9 and left their keys in the inside of the front door.

They awoke at 7.30am to find their front door wide open and discovered a laptop, mobile phone, keys and tobacco had been taken.

Police searched the defendant's address the next day. The laptop was recovered from under a bed and Salt told officers he was looking after it for someone.

Salt, of St Ann's Street, Hanley, pleaded guilty to burglary and handling stolen goods.

Joanne Wallbanks, mitigating, said Salt committed his last burglary in 2008.

"He managed to come off drugs but when he went to collect his Subutex (heroin substitute) he could not get it as it was half-day closing," added Miss Wallbanks.

"Stupidly he turned to crime for drugs."

Judge Paul Glenn sentenced Salt to three-and-a-half years for the burglary and 10 months, consecutive, for handling the stolen goods.

He told the defendant: "You have a pretty appalling record. The offence in June was your first burglary for four years. But it seems when you hit difficulties you resort to that sort of behaviour.

"This was a nocturnal burglary when the property was occupied.

"Three people were there that night in the living quarters of the house.

"There was potential for confrontation. You took property of significant value."

Judge Glenn said the burglary was aggravated by Salt's previous convictions. He added: "It doesn't seem you have learnt from your past mistakes."