Prolific burglar Gary Cooper has been jailed for five years for the protection of the public. Judge Jeffrey Rucker ruled at Truro Crown Court on Thursday that he must serve three years, less 124 days he has already been in custody, before he can be considered for parole.

Cooper admitted having broken a window to enter an isolated bungalow on the outskirts of Lostwithiel on April 30 last and the theft of property which included a jewellery box and seven items valued at more than £1,000.

Footprints at the scene led to Cooper, who before his arrest was living in Alexander Terrace, Truro.

Prosecutor Ron Ede revealed that Cooper had an appalling record, his last nine previous convictions having been for dwellinghouse burglaries.

Defending, Malcolm Clarke pointed out that every sentence Cooper had received since 1979 had been custodial - "he does need help," he stressed. Reports showed that since being on remand he had made good progress in jail and he genuinely wanted to change his lifestyle.

Judge Rucker accepted that it was a long time since the courts had considered that a community penalty was appropriate but he was a professional burglar and his offending was linked to his drug's addiction.

"I must impose a minimum of three years but my main task is to consider the protection of the public. I can only do that by imposing a long term sentence."