A ‘career burglar’ with convictions for breaking into colleges in both Oxford and Cambridge was given a glimmer of hope that he could receive something other than a prison sentence – for the first time in years.

Graham Woollett had been due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday for breaking into Oriel and Exeter colleges.

But the 46-year-old’s sentence was adjourned until April 1 after his barrister, Derek Barry, told the judge that the probation service were yet to complete a pre-sentence report ordered by a different judge in February.

Addiction charity Turning Point had ruled he was unsuitable for the scheme – run with Bullingdon prison - that would have seen him offered a place at a residential drug rehab.

But Mr Barry said that his client could still be put on a drug rehabilitation programme by the probation service and asked the judge to give his client a chance to obtain a pre-sentence report. Woollett had not had a probation report for two decades, the barrister said. 

Recorder John Bate-Williams said: “Because that report isn’t available I am prepared to adjourn for four weeks so that a drug rehabilitation requirement can be [considered] in the shape of a pre-sentence report.

“But you must understand that, in the words of your advocate, this is a long shot and another judge looking at your previous convictions might consider this isn’t an appropriate course.”

Graham Woolletts mug shot Picture: TVP

Graham Woollett's mug shot Picture: TVP

Woollett had been due to stand trial last month accused of the college burglaries.

But he pleaded guilty ahead of the trial being called on to breaking into Oriel College and Exeter College. He also admitted three counts of fraud by false representation.

Woollett, of Southcote Road, Reading, was convicted for his first domestic burglary in 1999.

Since then he had clocked up more than half a dozen more convictions for the offence – most recently, in 2019, for 40 months.

His long list of previous convictions includes break-ins at Wadham College and the Taylorian Institute. According to reports, he was also convicted of breaking into Cambridge colleges.

Following his most recent burglary sentence in 2019, PC Chris Kidd of Thames Valley Police said: “Detecting and preventing burglary remains a top priority in Oxford, and this conviction and sentence highlights this.

“Woollett has been given a significant period of imprisonment which will prevent him from causing anybody else to become a victim of his crimes.”

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