A MAN who went on a burglary spree just weeks after being released from prison on parole has been jailed for three years.

David Leslie Clift, 39, broke into five shops and bars during a month long crime spree before being caught by police.

St Lawrence Church, Dauwalders and Cranes Wine Cafe were some of the businesses that were targeted between February 20 and March 19 to fuel his drugs habit. In total, five Salisbury businesses were burgled with another 12 offences taken into consideration.

Despite targeting commercial properties, Clift admitted entering one home — however it was acknowledged that the defendant did not know people were inside. As soon as he realised, he left without stealing anything.

Salisbury Crown Court today heard how his preferred method of breaking into the businesses was by forcing his way in through the window.

Prosecutor Rob Welling said: "It is right to say on a virtual daily basis he would go out and steal for his drugs."

Clift, of Bulford, had a long history of burglaries, which includes being jailed for four-and-a-half years in 2014 for a string of 20 burglaries across Salisbury city centre.

The court heard how Clift suffered from a borderline personality disorder and he hoped to undergo some treatment while in prison.

Judge Andrew Barnett in sentencing him to three years in prison, reduced from four-and-a-half years due to his early guilty plea, said his track record of previous convictions was "appalling". He added that his burglaries had become "a way of life".

Speaking after the conviction Lucy Thorne from Wiltshire Police said: "We are satisfied with the sentence today and to be able to offer the victims in these 18 burglaries some peace of mind that the person responsible has been put before the court. Burglaries at any premises whether in businesses or people's homes, have a financial impact and detrimental effect on the victims."