Christopher Woodcock jailed for seven and a half years (From Bournemouth Echo)

Christopher Woodcock jailed for seven and a half years

8:49am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A “PROFESSIONAL” burglar who was brought to justice after leaving his shoe print at the scene of one of his crimes has been jailed for seven and a half years.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Christopher Woodcock, 35, a serving prisoner, had targeted six homes across Dorset in a fortnight to fund his drug habit.

Woodcock admitted breaking into a house in Tower Road, Poole on January 29 while the owners slept and asked the court to take five break-ins in Dorchester, Poole and Wareham into consideration.

Prosecutor Clifford Grier said Woodcock had helped himself to personal possessions including a laptop computer, digital camera and bag containing bank cards on January 29 which he had used to top up his mobile phone.

Woodcock fled with his haul in the family’s Mercedes A-class car which he used to commit a further three burglaries.

Mr Grier added that Woodcock had left an incriminating mark on the kitchen floor which detectives later linked to his training shoe.

After being spotted behind the wheel of the stolen car at Three Legged Cross on February 17, he refused to stop and a police officer gave chase.

Woodcock fled after crashing into a ditch and causing £3,000 worth of damage to the vehicle. He was arrested after a police dog tracked him down.

As well as the string of burglaries Woodcock, who has amassed 20 convictions for 90 offences, admitted driving while disqualified, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance and two fraud offences.

Defending Woodcock, Paul Hester said: “Over the last 20 years he has been subject to terms of imprisonment totalling 16 years.

“That is a frightening fact. The terrible scourge of drugs is the driving force behind his offending.”

Sentencing Woodcock, Recorder Geoffrey Still, who branded him “a professional burglar”, said: “Domestic burglary is an offence not just against property but against people.

“Our homes are still our castles and should be a safe refuge for us and where our valuables will be secure. Burglary often has long-term effects. The public needs protection from you for a substantial period of time.”