A CAREER criminal with 250 previous convictions added to his astonishing tally with two more break-ins in the Wheatley area of Doncaster.
Peter Coulthread, aged 33, has spent most of his life since he was just 14 locked up, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
His record includes 34 burglaries – and he was on licence from a three-year prison term for break-ins when he struck again.
David Wain, prosecuting, said Coulthread broke into a house on Thorne Road, Doncaster, on New Year’s Day through the patio door causing £400 damage and stole a laptop computer and games valued at £1,300 before he was disturbed by the occupants.
He was arrested the next day and the stolen items were found at his home near Doncaster town centre.
Coulthread was bailed by the police, but within the month struck again at Stanhope Road, Wheatley, stealing a TV, laptop and jewellery worth £2,770 while the occupants – a couple and their son – were out.
The haul included a £1,500 engagement ring of great sentimental value.
Coulthread, of Dockin Hill Road, Wheatley, had been at liberty only three months after being released from a three-year jail term for burglaries. He had been locked up in March 2011 and was allowed out on licence last October.
He admitted the two dwelling-house burglaries.
Cheryl Dudley, defending, said he had been troubled with drugs in the past. “Drugs leads to offending and where he is today,” she said.
Judge Alan Goldsack, QC, jailed him for five years.
He said the background to his thieving was drug abuse and he was on licence from prison which was an aggravating feature.
“Both burglaries were during the daytime when the occupants were not in,” he said. “In both, quite substantial property was taken.
“On the second occasion an engagement ring of great sentimental value was stolen.”
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