A DUDLEY man who burgled the home of a family friend before embarking on a month-long crime spree has been jailed.

Robert Wayne Fieldhouse, of Granger Street, Dudley, pleaded guilty to ten offences including burglary, theft and driving offences at a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The court heard how Fieldhouse burgled his friend’s home on Kings Avenue in Tividale on August 6 this year.

Later that month he broke into a garage at an address on Castle Road in 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, where he stole jewellery and electrical items before getting spooked by an alarm.

Forensic investigators attended the scene and found a sample of blood on the bannister, which 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.

The 38-year-old was then arrested by officers on September 29 and subsequently charged.

Fieldhouse was sentenced to four years and six months behind bars at Wolverhampton Crown Court on November 18.