A CAREER burglar is back behind bars after admitting to 35 house break-ins.

Jason Baccus, 37, was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to one count of burglary and confessing to a string of others across Dorset and Hampshire.

Prosecutor Edward Philips told Bournemouth Crown Court that Baccus carried out the burglary on June 3 this year at a house in Manor Road, Milford-on-Sea.

He said the owner, a 65-year-old profoundly deaf woman, had gone away on a cruise and police were called when a neighbour discovered the burglary.

The victim returned to discover a laptop had been taken along with a large numbers of items of sentimental jewellery worth in excess of £8,000.

The court heard that a blood stain found at the point of entry contained the defendant’s DNA.

Mr Philips said Baccus had been in trouble for most of his life and began committing crime from a young age when his father sent him out to steal.

He said Baccus admitted the burglary and also went on to confess to 34 similar offences – 12 committed in Hampshire and the rest in Dorset between December 31 last year and May 29 this year.

Baccus has admitted to hundreds of dwelling burglaries over the years and spent long spells in prison, the court heard.

David Reid, mitigating, said: “This is a man who has been committing offences like this from a very young age.

“He doesn’t offer that as an excuse, he has grown up not knowing anything different.”

Judge John Harrow told Baccus: “You can just continue to burgle as soon as you come out of prison and attract higher and higher prison sentences. Or you can seek to address your drug addiction. It is down to you.”

Speaking afterwards, DI Richard Dixey said the public of Dorset and Hampshire were now protected from his offending behaviour.

“I hope that the conviction of Mr Baccus will provide some comfort to the victims of his burglary offences. Burglary is an extremely unpleasant crime which has a significant impact upon victims. It will always be a priority for the Dorset Police to investigate and detect burglary offences.”

  • A STATEMENT from Baccus’s latest burglary victim was read to the court in which she described the profound affect the incident has had on her.

The 65-year-old said she had suffered a high level of anxiety since the burglary and was left virtually housebound dealing with insurers and the police.

She said she was sad that she had lost “much-treasured” items of jewellery which had been given to her by late family members.

“It has made me very anxious. I sleep but wake up tired. I cannot concentrate well. I feel trembly. Sometimes I well up and fight back tears,” she said.

“It has shattered my calm and orderly existence and made me feel vulnerable, which is a cruel thing to do to someone. It is very upsetting.”