One of Suffolk's most prolific criminals has been told by a judge that he will be jailed when he is sentenced next week after admitting the latest in a long line of burglaries.
Tony Kirk, from Lowestoft, who has 139 previous convictions including more than 50 for burglary, was on licence after being released from a three-year jail sentence for burglary when he broke into a terraced house in Kent Road, Lowestoft, on November 30 last year, Ipswich Crown Court heard.
Kirk had forced entry to the property by breaking glass in a door while the owners were out and stole three money boxes containing £100 and jewellery including two gold necklaces, a gold bracelet, a watch and three rings, said Catherine Bradshaw, prosecuting.
Miss Bradshaw said the owner of the house returned home from a shopping trip to find items had been moved around in her kitchen and a cupboard door was open.
She then noticed a ground floor window was open and realised she had been burgled.
Kirk was arrested within a short time of the burglary in the Kent Road area for an unrelated matter and denied committing the burglary.
When CCTV from two local stores was viewed it was discovered that Kirk had taken quantities of 20p pieces into the shops and asked to exchange them for notes.
Miss Bradshaw said that forensic evidence provided 'moderate to strong support' that glass fragments found on Kirk's clothing matched glass from the broken door at the house in Kent Road.
Kirk, 36, of High Street, Lowestoft, admitted burglary.
Sentence was adjourned until Wednesday to allow a victim personal statement to be obtained from the victims of the burglary about the effect the crime had on them
Kirk was jailed for three years back in June 2011 after admitting three house burglaries and asking for 63 offences, including 49 for house burglary, to be taken into consideration.
He was jailed for a further three years in 2013 after admitting a further offence of burglary.
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