The various mug shots of Kevin Page tell the story of his life.

Norwich Evening News: Eight vehicles - including an Audi RS4 and a BMW - were broken into at St Mary's Works in the city centre in July. Photo: Luke PowellEight vehicles - including an Audi RS4 and a BMW - were broken into at St Mary's Works in the city centre in July. Photo: Luke Powell (Image: Archant)

For Page, 37, is a career criminal with dozens of crimes to his name, dating back 23 years.

Now, he is back behind bars after admitting to a number of unsolved cases including seven burglaries and more than 30 car crimes around the city, a court heard.

Page was arrested after leaving blood at the scene of a car break-in, but when arrested he told police he wanted to wipe the slate clean and admitted a catalogue of crimes including a burglary in Calvert Street, in which sentimental jewellery was stolen, and breaking into eight cars to steal personal items at St Mary's Works, near Duke Street.

Page, of no fixed address, was jailed for three years after he admitted the thefts and attempted thefts from eight cars between July 17 and 20 this year and asked for 26 similar car offences to be taken into consideration.

Norwich Evening News: Kevin Page, jailed for motoring offencesKevin Page, jailed for motoring offences

He also admitted stealing jewellery from a house in Calvert Street, Norwich, between May 31 and June 3, this year, and asked for a further six burglaries to be taken into consideration.

Norwich Crown Court heard most of the crimes were unsolved until Page's confession.

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said in the 1990s Page was a regular before the courts for car crime as he used to smash into cars to steal radios.

He said now he broke into cars to find any valuables rather than 'ripping out their radios.'

Norwich Evening News: Kevin PageKevin Page

He said the damage caused and items stolen ran into thousands of pounds as well as creating great inconvenience to the car owners.

He said the burglary was more serious as the victim lost irreplaceable jewellery and said it has had a devastating effect on her.

Danielle O'Donovan, for Page, said: 'Without his evidence a number of crimes would have gone unsolved and people would have been without closure.'

She said Page had convicted himself of the offences: 'He has put himself in a position to be in far more trouble than what he would have been but for those admissions.'

Norwich Evening News: Kevin PageKevin Page

She said Page committed the offences because of his drug addiction, which he now wanted to tackle.

Jailing him, Judge Maureen Bacon accepted but for his confession he would have been dealt with for one offence but said only custody could be justified even though he had 'in effect convicted himself.'