A PROLIFIC burglar who embarked on a year-long crime spree of break-ins while on the run has been jailed.

Lee Doyle carried out his crime wave while evading capture and once dodged police after officers swarmed on a 'cruiser style' boat on the Thames where he was staying.

Finally cornered in Somerset the 34-year-old of Songers Close, Botley was brought to justice and locked up for more than five years yesterday.

Detailing the 10 counts of burglary and one of handling stolen goods prosecutors at Oxford Crown Court said the offending all took place between May last year and July this year.

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All of the burglaries took place while the owners were out, the court heard, and various items were stolen in each case.

Among the numerous items taken was an antique chalice valued at £5,000, a diamond ring and a wedding band.

In one break-in a Jewish candle stick was damaged and in many cases his DNA was left at the scene in what was described as his 'calling card' yesterday.

Much of the offending took place while he was wanted in connection with his first burglary and despite efforts to trace him, including a raid on a boat, it was not until August 30 that he was arrested in Somerset.

After his interview and being on the run for some 13 months, he admitted the 10 offences as well as six other burglaries, one dating back to 2012.

In mitigation his defence barrister Jonathan Coode said that his client had expressed his 'sincere and genuine remorse to the proprietors.'

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC said that the burglaries were all 'carefully targeted' with the occupants not present.

He said: "The impact you had on those occupants has been long lasting and severe."

Doyle was jailed for a total of five years and three months for all the counts.