A Chesham burglar who stole a 13-year-old’s money box during a spree of break-ins has been locked up.

Tyler Strickland, aged 35, of Sunnyside Road, was sentenced to two years in prison at Amersham Law Courts on Friday after he pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary dwelling.

Ahead of the sentencing, Strickland also admitted to seven other domestic burglaries, which he committed over two months in October and November last year.

Strickland committed the original offence on November 26, when he broke into a home in Hazlewood Close, at around 3.30pm.

The court heard how a neighbour called the police when they saw a “suspicious male” walking across the driveway.

An account from the victim of the burglary explained that he had only left the house for a matter of minutes to drop his wife and children off at a nearby shop.

The court heard how when he returned home, as he opened the front door, he “heard a door close” somewhere in the house, but did not realise he had been burgled until he went upstairs and noticed that things were missing.

Strickland was found nearby by police with a “half-filled” lilac pillowcase and was arrested.

The court heard how Strickland had stolen jewellery and a money box which belonged to the 13-year-old daughter of the victim.

A statement from the victim which was read to the court said: “Since the burglary I am much more worried about leaving the house unattended and leaving my wife and kids alone in the house.

“My 13-year-old refuses to be left alone in the house with anyone except me or my wife.”

Before the sentencing, Strickland also confessed to seven other domestic burglaries that he had committed in October and November last year. His defence barrister stated that his client wanted a “clean slate.”

Sentencing, judge Nicholas Rhodes said: “You have a bad record in the sense that you have been before the court on eight occasions.

“You had been granted bail just two weeks before that for a matter that has not been proceeded with.

“Appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody.”

Strickland, who was appearing via video link from HMP Bullingdon, was given a two-year sentence for the offences.