A SERIAL burglar was caught breaking into a veterinary surgery in the middle of the night by one of the practice’s nurses.

Joanna Napper was left “shaking and panicking” when she discovered heroin addict Peter Stringer climbing through a window.

The veterinary nurse was working a night shift at Larkmead Veterinary Practice, in Park Road, Didcot, on April 7 this year.

At around 11.45pm she was alone in the building when she heard what sounded like a door banging in the practice’s kennels.

Going to investigate, she found the 42-year-old Stringer climbing into the cattery through a window in a door.

At Oxford Crown Court this week Ahmed Hossain, prosecuting, said the nurse initially froze when she saw the criminal. He said: “She describes herself as shaking and panicking so much she couldn’t get the key in the lock to get out.”

Miss Napper then called the police. When they arrived officers discovered their suspect with white socks on his hands and a blue metal crowbar inside his jacket.

Stringer, of Dirac Place, Didcot, has 20 previous convictions for 55 offences dating back to 1988.

Sumita Mahtab-Shaikh, defending, said that 10 years ago he learned to cope with his heroin addiction and his offending stopped. She said: “Unfortunately he has suffered a recent relapse and needed money to pay off his debts.”

Stringer admitted one count of burglary with intent to steal and received a 15 month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, with nine months of drug rehabilitation treatment, 12 months supervision and £150 costs.