An Oxford Crown Court judge issued a stern warning to heroin addicts that the courts would protect ordinary people from their criminal activities.

Homeless Jason Goodenough-Horn, 24, committed three burglaries in Oxford and one theft between January and April this year. He was in search of goods to steal and then sell to fund his heroin addiction.

Paul Read, prosecuting, said Goodenough-Horn started by burgling The Pub on The Plain in Oxford, stealing valuable musical equipment which he then tried to sell at a shop in Cowley Road.

The shop owner had been alerted about the burglary and locked Goodenough-Horn in his shop until the police arrived.

Released on bail, Goodenough-Horn went on to commit three further offences. He stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from a Cowley shop, selling it on for just £300 to buy more heroin.

Then he broke into his former digs in Richmond Road, Oxford, stealing a stereo system and cash. This was followed by a break-in at a bed shop in St Clements, although he didn't steal anything.

Paul Mitchell, defending, said the two break-ins of commercial premises were less serious than domestic burglaries. He raided his old digs believing the landlord was responsible for the disappearance of many of his personal possessions.

He added: "All these offences were committed while he was under the influence of his uncontrollable addiction to heroin."

Sentencing Goodenough-Horn to 12 months in prison, recorder Michael Challinor told him: "You are one of many who appear in the courts saying 'I commit offences to buy heroin'.

"The Court of Appeal has said that is no excuse. Society must be protected from people who prey on citizens by committing offences to buy their drugs."

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