A PROLIFIC burglar is behind bars following a crime spree that blighted Crewe and stretched across Cheshire East.

Peter Clarke, 26 of Reins Lee Avenue, Fitton Hill, Oldham was handed a 28-month jail term for his crimes at Chester Crown Court last week.

He initially appeared before magistrates in Crewe charged with two counts of burglary and driving offences.

Clarke also admitted a further 21 offences of burglary while being interviewed by detectives, with properties as far afield as Nantwich, Alsager, Macclesfield and Disley all targeted.

Clarke was snared by Crewe detectives in November last year.

Detective Inspector Nigel Groom who heads up the CID team at Crewe commended the work of the detectives involved in bringing the case to a successful conclusion.

He said: “Domestic burglary is amongst the most traumatic and intrusive of crimes for the victims involved.

“Not only can treasured possessions be stolen, but it can cause long term disruption and unease for those affected.

“My team worked hard to piece together Clarke’s crimes and produced a comprehensive file of evidence that led to him admitting a further 21 burglaries and ultimately being removed from our streets.

“We are committed to thoroughly investigating all reports of burglary and using all means at our disposal to bring to justice those responsible for committing this type of crime in our community.”