Deportation order for convicted burglar

Tomas Praniauskas, of Drogheda, Ireland, had come to England in June 2014 with the intention of finding a job.

But within days, the 28-year-old had broken in to a house in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and stolen jewellery and watches worth almost £1,500.

On June 20 he then broke in to a house in Priorslee, Telford, and stole items valued at more than £650.

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said that when caught by police Praniauskas was wearing socks over his trainers and gloves on his hands.

He was also found to be carrying a specially adapted set of screwdrivers and a lock breaking tool.

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard on Friday that the father-of-one had thought he would find a job easily in England but soon fell in with the wrong crowd.

He broke into the house in Cheltenham while the owners were on holiday and stole rings and watches of great sentimental value.

He was charged with burglary and was convicted when he appeared before Stroud Magistrates Court at an earlier hearing.

He was charged with burglary in relation to the Telford offence and also pleaded guilty.

He was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment and will face automatic deportation back to Lithuania after he has served his sentence the court was told.

He was also ordered to pay £120 statutory charge.

Judge Robin Onions said: "On June 4 you entered the United Kingdom from Ireland, as you are entitled to do. However, you started offending almost straightaway.

"I accept you intended to work and then when you could not it caused you difficulty. But that had nothing to do with the householder in Cheltenham.

"You stole items of great sentimental value and these have not been recovered."

He added: "That burglary in itself was bad enough but you compounded that by coming to Shropshire where you then broke into a house in Priorslee.

"People are entitled to feel safe in their own homes."