A prolific offender, who burgled the home of a family friend, has been jailed for committing a string of offences.

Robert Wayne Fieldhouse, of Granger Street, Dudley, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday 18th November after pleading guilty to burglary, theft and driving offences. Fieldhouse burgled his friend’s home on Kings Avenue, Tividale on 6 August this year, before embarking on a month-long crime spree in Sandwell and Dudley.

On 27 August, he broke into a garage at an address on Castle Road, Tipton and stole the homeowner’s Suzuki. Three days later the owner spotted Fieldhouse brazenly driving his stolen car.

A few weeks later Fieldhouse struck again, this time breaking into a house on Dudley Road, Tipton. He managed to steal jewellery and electrical items before getting spooked by an alarm. Forensic investigators attended the scene and found a sample of blood on the bannister. The DNA was tested and found to match that of Robert Fieldhouse.

DNA also linked him to another incident during which he smashed his way into a taxi and stole cash from inside. In light of mounting evidence, the 38-year-old was arrested by officers on 29 September and subsequently charged with an array of crimes.

He pleaded guilty to 10 separate offences at Wolverhampton Crown Court and was sentenced to four years and six months behind bars.