A WIRRAL man who committed two burglaries within months of being released from prison has been jailed for five years.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Paul Aitken burgled properties in Meols and Hoylake in the space of 10 days last August, being confronted by the householders both times.

He was arrested near the scene of the second break-in, and blood from a nose injury he got during a struggle at the first burglary proved positive in a DNA test.

Aitken, 30, of no fixed address, formerly of Mount Pleasant, Wallasey, pleaded guilty to two burglaries.

Judge William George said that he was on trust while on licence and he broke that trust.

Mr Edmund Heygarth, prosecuting, said that on May 28 last year, Aitken was released on licence from a seven year prison sentence for robbery and burglary.

On August 9 last year, a retired man found Aitken in the bedroom of his house in Birkenhead Road, Meols.

The householder challenged him and grabbed hold of Aitken. They fell to the floor and during the struggle Aitken received a bloody nose. The man's wife entered the room and Aitken managed to break away, pushed her, and locked them in their bedroom before escaping, he said.

On August 19, another householder heard the sound of creaking coming from the first floor of his maisonette and found Aitken in the bedroom. He challenged Aitken, who claimed the flat was for sale and he wanted to have a look.

Aitken broke free of an armlock and fled the building, only to be arrested by police who had been telephoned by the householder's wife, said Mr Heygarth.

When interviewed, Aitken said he committed the first offence to find jewellery to steal to support his drug habit, which included cocaine and heroin, he said.

Mr Nicholas Gilchrist, defending, said that Aitken was dependent on drugs at the time.

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