A man who stole property worth more than £60,000 from 34 homes to fuel his heroin addiction has been jailed for three years and four months.

Judge John Wait said Jason Fellows, aged 36, had an appalling record for burglary and had made six previous appearances before Wolverhampton Crown Court over the last 15 years.

Fellows, of Myatt Avenue, Parkfields, Wolverhampton admitted three burglary charges and asked for 31 other similar offences to be taken into consideration after an 11 month spree.

Miss Helena Miller, prosecuting, said he smashed his way into a house in Church Hill, Penn, Wolverhampton, but was traced via DNA after he left a bloodstain on a broken patio window.

He burgled another house in nearby Penn Road but a neighbour’s CCTV filmed him leaving.

At a house in Birches Barn Road, Penn Fields, he took jewellery of “great sentimental” value to the owner.

Mr John Evans, defending, said there was now a “real prospect” of him addressing his drug problem. He added: “He is determined to change for the better.”

After his arrest he confessed to the 31 other crimes and went with officers to point out the houses he had raided because he wanted to clean the slate.