Man admits burglary spree

A 23-year-old man burgled three houses in three weeks and stole almost £7,000 of jewellery, Oldham Magistrates heard.

Kurt James (23) pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and one of criminal damage that occurred earlier in the summer.

He made off with £6,500 worth of jewellery and electrical items from a house in Lower Frenches Drive, Greenfield on July 17. He broke into homes in Oldham Road and Mossley Road within hours of each other on August 9 and stole another £300 of jewellery and cash.

He was spotted on CCTV at one of the houses. Shoeprints at two of the houses also matched his.

James, from Hyde, later smashed a CCTV camera in his custody cell and carved his name into the wall using the broken glass, causing around £1,100 of damage.

Mr James, who has had 23 convictions since 2001, made no application for bail. He will appear at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court on October 8.


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