A CAREER criminal whose life has been ‘blighted’ by drugs has admitted his latest set of burglaries.

Ricky Kilroy, 38, pleaded guilty to burgling a pub, a home, attempting to break into a boat hire business – and asked for five other break-ins to be taken into consideration.

Those included break-ins at two Didcot primary schools and a nursery in a November 2018 spree.

Asking the judge to adjourn the case for further instructions to be taken, defence barrister Kellie Enever told Oxford Crown Court: “He has quite a chequered and substantial criminal history. He is a defendant who has been blighted by drugs for most of his adult and juvenile life.”

Judge Michael Gledhill QC remanded him into custody to be sentenced on July 21.

Kilroy, of Queensway, Didcot, pleaded guilty to burglary, attempted burglary, fraud by false representation and growing two cannabis plants.

He broke into a house in Castle Street, Wallingford, between April 4 and 6, 2021, taking a MacBook computer, Dyson air purifier, a wallet and driving licence.

On April 6, he entered The Boathouse pub, Wallingford, with intent to steal. And, on the same day, attempted to burgle the Pure Boating Company, Wallingford.

He used a bank card without permission at the Esso service station, a BP garage and a Waitrose store, all in Wallingford, on April 6.

Kilroy asked for five other burglaries to be taken into consideration by the judge.

He admitted breaking into Station Flooring, Didcot, between March 24 and 25, 2019. Between November 30 and December 3, 2018, he broke into the Lydells Road nursery and Manor Primary School. Between November 26 and 27, 2018, he committed a burglary at Northbourne Primary School and, on November 28, stole from the Peacocks store in Didcot.

As a ‘third strike’ burglar, Kilroy faces a minimum sentence of three years’ imprisonment – although a judge may impose a shorter term if they believe it would be unjust to give the minimum term.

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