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A serial criminal with 273 previous convictions has walked free from court despite burgling the homes of two women.

Sneaky Jason Potts raided a neighbour’s home after hearing her saying where she’d left a spare key for her builder.

The 44-year-old also crept into the house of a mother while she was in with her children, stealing her handbag then pinching her car from outside.

But despite his extensive list of previous offences, he avoided prison because he has been on a curfew for 301 days, half of which would have to be deducted from any jail term.

After hearing about the impact the burglary had on a woman who lives across the road from Potts, Recorder William Lowe QC told him: “She probably won’t be able to understand why I’m not passing an immediate prison sentence today, much as I would like to.”

Potts first burgled a house on Dodds Terrace, Birtley, Gateshead, where a woman and her three children lived in September 2014.

One of the children noticed the back door was open and his mum realised her handbag was missing, as was her car from outside.

Potts, of Howe Street, Gateshead, admitted burglary and taking a vehicle without consent.

In May last year he targeted the home of a woman who lives across the road from him.

She was having work done and when she went out to work she left a key under a rubbish bag to allow her builders access.

When she returned home she found the key was missing and a parcel on her bed had been opened.

She then discovered various electrical items, including a games console and tablet, had been taken.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch told Newcastle Crown Court: “When he was arrested the defendant said he overheard her telling a man where the key was secreted.”

The victim told the court: “I feel I have been living in fear since this happened.

“He lives directly opposite me. It would be a lot easier if I didn’t know the person.

“After the incident I slept with a sharp object next to me for comfort.

“I’m more frustrated he had been through my personal belongings.”

Potts admitted burglary and also pleaded guilty to stealing scrap metal from a building site on Sunderland Road, Gateshead, and theft of aftershave from Debenhams at the Metrocentre.

The court heard he already had convictions for 273 previous offences.

He was given nine months suspended for 18 months with a six month curfew meaning he’s not allowed out between 7pm and 7am.

Tony Davis, defending, said: “He has been on a curfew for 301 days, which is the equivalent of a 10 month sentence.

“He has health problems.”