A serial burglar has been jailed after a string of break-ins left victims feeling unsafe in their own homes.
Christopher Stephenson, 32, of no fixed address, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on September 2, where he was sentenced to 876 days in prison, the mandatory minimum for a "third-striker" burglar.
Stephenson had previously admitted to three burglaries and two counts of fraud, all part of a spree in Norwich between July 25 and 28.
The burglaries took place at properties in The Erins, Beckwith's Cour and Boot Binders Road.
Items stolen included bank cards, a laptop, jewellery and a PlayStation, with the stolen cards later used to make purchases at convenience stores.
After cooperating with the force’s Op Converter unit, which investigates offenders suspected of additional crimes, Stephenson admitted to six more offences.
These included four further burglaries at Sleaford Green, St Faith's Lane, Reepham Road and Midland Walk, and one attempted burglary at Meadow Way, all committed between July 22 and 29.
He also admitted to a shop theft in Dereham Road on July 24.
The court heard that most of the crimes took place after dark and were particularly distressing for victims.
In one case, a woman was asleep upstairs while Stephenson broke in.
Another victim noticed a string of unauthorised transactions on his phone while he was away, alerting him to the break-in.
Stephenson was linked to the crimes through fingerprint and CCTV evidence and was arrested on July 29 by officers on patrol.
Victim impact statements described ongoing anxiety and an inability to feel safe at home.
"The emotional and psychological impact of his actions far outweigh the perpetrator’s modest financial gains and it would be good if he took these wider repercussions to heart," one victim said.
Police staff investigator Darren Reade, from Op Converter, said: "Burglary is an incredibly intrusive crime which often leaves victims feeling unsafe and anxious in their own homes – the one place they should be most at ease.
"We hope this brings some reassurance to those affected by his offending."
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