A PROFILIC burglar is starting a four year jail sentence after being convicted of 18 offences in the Altrincham area.

Peter Rumney, 24, was sentenced to four years behind bars at Minshull Street Crown Court today after being found guilty of eight burglaries. He asked the court to take a further 10 into consideration.

On October 19 2007, officers executed a warrant at Rumney's home address on Lloyd Gardens in Altrincham and found electrical equipment and bankcards that were reported stolen from two separate burglaries on Bold Street and Hale Road earlier that day.

Rumney was arrested and later admitted that he was not only responsible for the two burglaries but had also committed a number of other offences over a two-month period.

He was driven around the Altrincham area by police officers a few days later and during the trip pointed out a further 10 homes which he had burgled between the end of August and mid-October, mainly through open windows or doors, at night time while the homeowners were asleep.

On 23 October 2007, Rumney was charged with a further six burglaries at addresses on Oakfield Street, Osborne Road, Hawthorne Road, Daresbury Avenue, Elm Road and Ashfield Road. It is thought he stole up to £12,500 worth of goods.

Sergeant Phil Seeley, of the Volume Crime Unit in Stretford, said: "Rumney is a prolific burglar who has continually showed a complete disregard for the innocent, law-abiding members of society whose homes he has invaded.

"He is a serious danger to the people of Altrincham and this lengthy custodial sentence is appropriate to keep him off the streets and punish him for the distress he has caused his victims.

"I am delighted with the verdict."