Prolific burglar Jason Smith has been jailed for four-and-a-half years – meaning all six sons of the same family are in custody at the same time. Smith, 22, who began offending when he was 11, had committed burglaries in North Herts and Luton, mainly betw

Prolific burglar Jason Smith has been jailed for four-and-a-half years - meaning all six sons of the same family are in custody at the same time.

Smith, 22, who began offending when he was 11, had committed burglaries in North Herts and Luton, mainly between May and July this year.

Several were at occupied houses at night, commercial premises, and one at a primary school.

He was frequently caught on CCTV and recognised by police officers who knew him.

His solicitor said Smith had been addicted to heroin by the time of his 15th birthday, and all his offending was to finance his drug habit.

Smith pleaded guilty to six burglaries, one theft from a car, one making off without payment, and one of taking a car.

He asked for 48 offences committed in Bedfordshire and 24 committed in Hertfordshire to be taken into consideration.

Prosecuting, Edward Lewis told Luton Crown Court that on June 9 Smith broke into a house in Hitchin in the early hours and confronted the woman inside, and left with her handbag.

Later the same day he broke into a car parked in Hitchin and stole a handbag containing £50 cash and jewellery.

He later told police he had been driving around looking for things to steal.

On June 26 he attempted to break into a property in Coombelands, Royston, using a pair of garden shears.

The shocked owner was inside and confronted him and he fled empty-handed.

He told police he picked the property because he could see a wallet on the kitchen worktop.

Two days later he was at a bakery in Letchworth, where he stole two handbags from a staff room.

He kept the cash found in them, gave some jewellery to female friends and threw the bags down a drain, said Mr Lewis.

David Noble, defending, said: "He is one of six brothers, all of whom are, as of today, in custody, and his father spent most of his life in prison.

"When he was 12 he was taken into care, but it was not long before he was experimenting with illicit drugs.

"But he does not like the life he has been leading and would very much wish to have a family and somewhere to call his own, but does not believe he will be able to do that without a great deal of assistance. He feels he has been written off."

Judge Peter Wright told Smith, of Kingsland Road, Luton: "Your background leaves one saddened.

"Life has dealt you a pretty raw hand. But there are a shocking number of crimes here.