Serial Dudley burglar jailed (From Dudley News)

Serial Dudley burglar jailed

11:40am Monday 22nd October 2012 in News

A SERIAL Dudley burglar with an "appalling" criminal record has been jailed for five years after he raided a house in Russells Hall.

Judge Martin Walsh told David Barnett, of Osprey Drive, Russells Hall: "You are a prolific burglar of dwelling houses" after he broke into the property while on licence from his last jail term.

He said the 33 year-old, who shouted "kangaroo court" as he was jailed, had 49 previous convictions and could be given no credit because he had chosen to fight the case after his arrest.

Barnett had pleaded not guilty to burgling the house in Fulbrook Road and stealing property including bank cards, a wallet and a handbag.

But he was found guilty by the jury on a ten to two majority verdict after they retired for over four hours at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The jury were told Barnett got into the house through a window in the early hours, while the occupants were sleeping and also got away with a memory stick containing vital information relating to a master's degree together with other documentation.

Mr Jas Mann defending told the court that since his last sentence Barnett, who had served a number of jail terms, had tried hard to lead a normal life.