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More on KentOnline
A shameless career crook smashed into and ransacked a home, defecated on the floor, then left.
Steven Collins, who has committed 223 offences, soiled the carpet after breaking into the Addington Square holiday home in Margate.
The 56-year-old also left blood in the bedroom and rifled through holidaymaker Anna Whitehouse’s personal effects.
He was arrested, released on bail, and then went on to target Canon David Caine’s home in Minnis Road, Birchington.
Judge Mark Weekes jailed the heroin and crack cocaine addict for two years and four months for burglary – it is the 35th time he’s been caught for the crime.
“You have been offending now for almost 40 years. Your antecedent history is depressing reading,” he said.
The court heard Collins smashed through a window at the Margate home between 2.30pm and 6pm on February 19.
Ms Whitehouse, who had been there for two days, returned to find the house in a “pretty terrible way,” explained prosecutor John FitzGerald.
There was blood in the bedroom, evidence someone had been rifling, and faeces “all over the place” he explained.
"You have been offending now for almost 40 years. Your antecedent history is depressing reading..." Judge Mark Weekes
It cost the property's owner £600 to clear up while Ms Whitehouse cut short her week long holiday.
Collins would soon be arrested for the crime, bailed, and make his way to Minnis Road in Birchington-on-Sea on June 1.
“Mr Caine came back at 1.45pm to find the garden gate and a rear garden window open.
“Nothing had been taken, but the defendant left two finger prints on the window frame,” explained Mr FitzGerald.
Paul Hogben, mitigating, said Collins plans to leave the area after prison and the crimes were driven by homelessness and addiction.
“He tells me that since his remand he has detoxed and is now drug free,” he said.
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