A HOUSEBREAKER who appealed against his sentence had it changed

yesterday, from two years to three.

He tried at the beginning of the hearing to abandon the appeal, but

three Judges refused, then increased the jail term.

Martin West, 25, had been jailed for two years at Glasgow Sheriff

Court after he admitted seven charges of housebreaking and committing

break-ins with intent to steal.

He appeared at the Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday to conduct his

own case, but began by asking Lords Allanbridge, Kincraig, and Brand for

permission to abandon his appeal against sentence.

The court turned him down, then proceeded to increase the two years to

three.

Lord Allanbridge said: ''When he came into court he asked leave to

abandon. That leave was not granted because we have already looked at

the papers (in the case).''

About #10,000 worth of property had been stolen in the series of

housebreakings in Glasgow between April and August last year. Nothing

had been recovered.

The Judge said West, described as a prisoner in Barlinnie, had an

appalling record.

Lord Allanbridge added: ''It has been made clear in this court time

after time that those who repeatedly commit thefts and thefts by

housebreaking will receive severe punishment.''

The public had to be protected from criminals who repeatedly committed

offences of this kind and the court had decided to quash the sentence of

two years, substituting one of three years instead.