A BURGLAR repeatedly jailed for more than 90 crimes has been put behind bars again for a string of thefts that included swiping charity boxes.

Geoffrey Muirhead of Paradise Street, Oxford, was yesterday given his latest jail sentence – this time for 12 months – after admitting three burglaries and a theft in October and November.

Judge Mary Jane Mowat said she could not overlook the 34-year-old’s 20-year criminal career.

Henry James, prosecuting, said Muirhead twice struck the Eastgate Hotel in High Street, Oxford, in two “opportunistic” burglaries.

During these he stole coffee sachets on the first occasion and then returned to take trainers, bank cards and a rucksack from the staff area.

Mr James said he also broke into The Nosebag Restaurant in St Michael’s Street, Oxford, and helped himself to two charity boxes that had been left out.

The barrister said he then targeted Boots in Cornmarket Street, Oxford, and stole an Armani gift set worth £42.50.

He told Judge Mowat that the defendant has a total of 34 previous convictions for a total of 93 offences and had been jailed numerous times.

Claire Fraser, defending, said her client had struggled with addictions to class A drugs and alcohol for 20 years and had failed to stay clean.

She said he was stuck in a cycle of “getting drunk, living homeless and committing offences” but had recently been living in supported accommodation at Simon House, in Paradise Street, Oxford. Miss Fraser said: “He is stuck in the prison revolving door, he goes in and comes back out again, but he has made significant progress.”

She added that Muirhead had managed to find a job putting up market stalls and was about to start work.

The barrister asked the judge to adjourn the hearing so his potential employer could come and give evidence to prove the job offer was real.

But Judge Mowat said he had a history of lying and an immediate prison sentence was the only option.

She said: “It is true to say you are a revolving door offender – you go to prison, you come out, you re-offend and you go back.

“Not only do you offend, but you lie to anybody and everybody about what you have done when it is to your advantage.”

She sentenced Muirhead to 12 months in prison and told him to pay a £100 victims’ surcharge.