Serial offender jailed over Telford break-ins 'binge'

Johnathon Tisdale, 41, of Park Street in Madeley, Telford, was jailed for 33 months for two counts of burglary on a dwelling or house and one charge of attempted burglary.

Tisdale plead guilty to all offences, which included burglaries in Leegomery and Oakengates where he took cash, mobile phones and aftershave.

The court heard he had a "very poor" record with offences dating back to 1991 and had spent no more than two years out of prison for a number of years.

Recorder Christopher Goodchild said Tisdale had become too used to prison.

He said: "It is not even his second home, it has become his first home. I have heard a sad story of a man who has become completely to regard prison as his home, who is not able to survive outside for very long."

Defending, Brendan Reedy said Tisdale had recently learned his 15-year-old daughter had become pregnant and hoped to turn his life around, but had become institutionalised.

He said that the burglar had found it difficult to adjust being outside and that he had started drinking before going on a "binge" of burglaries. But hours later he handed himself in to police and showed them which homes he had targeted and where stolen items had been placed.

Recorder Goodchild said: "It was a short binge and the burglaries you committed were when people were out and a relatively small amount was stolen.

"I don't think anyone would criticise me if I was to sentence you for four or five years – but I sense in this case that you are on the way out.

"I sense that you are getting sensible about it."

Tisdale, who appeared via video link at Shrewsbury Crown Court, was sentenced to 33 months for the offences. He thanked Recorder Goodchild for being "lenient".

Tisdale was also ordered to pay £900 criminal court charge and £120 victim surcharge.