Burglar who produced knife after barging into Preston home during three-day crime spree jailed

Dale Thomason, 29, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to eight years and four months.

The offences were committed over a three-day period in August last year, and Thomason was arrested after an investigation by Lancashire Police.

On August 19, Thomason stole an iPhone, a watch, a pair of Louis Vuitton trainers and a safe which contained jewellery after breaking into a house on Brixton Road.

The other offences happened on August 21.

Thomason first burgled a house in Isherwood Street while the householder was in, removing a television off the wall and stealing a purse.

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He later knocked on the door of a house in West Cliff Terrace and when the door was opened, barged his way in and sat on the sofa.

Thomason then produced a knife and made threats when he was told to leave.

The final offence was at a house on Riverside when Thomason stole two laptops, a bike, jewellery, and Euros.

He was arrested later that day having been identified from CCTV footage.

Thomason, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a private place, three charges of burglary of a dwelling house, and common assault.

DC Dave Hanna, of the South Burglary Team, said: "Thomason targeted homes to burgle for his own gain and gave no thought to the people who lived there.

"People are entitled to view their home as a safe place. We aim to bring to justice those who burgle houses and inflict misery on those who they steal from.

"We are pleased that Thomason has received a lengthy prison sentence from the court, and it should act as a deterrent to others."