A SERIAL burglar who broke into a village mansion has been sentenced to more than two years in prison.

But as Michael Loraine is already serving a four-year jail term imposed in June, he was told that the new matter won't add a day to the time he spends inside.

The 52-year-old smashed his way in to The Manor House, in Ogbourne St George, on April 30.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court the housekeeper returned and found a number of window panes in the library had been smashed.

The police were called and blood was found among the broken glass and two security alarms had been pulled off the wall inside.

Upstairs in the Grade Two listed building an office which is also used as a bedroom had been disturbed by the intruder.

Miss Hingston said that when the blood was sent off for analysis it came back as a match for the defendant, who admitted what he had done when he was questioned.

Loraine, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to burglary. Earlier this year he was jailed for three more burglaries and two thefts.

Richard Martin, defending, said had the matter been included when he was before the court in June it was unlikely it would have affected the length of his jail term.

Mr Martin said Loraine was due for release from the four-year sentence in June 2019, though it was likely to be earlier with home detention curfew.

Passing sentence Judge Robert Pawson said: "You are past 50 and you have got an appalling record.

"You have pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to burglary of The Manor House, Ogbourne St George.

"You forced entry, went upstairs, but left some blood behind.

"Unsurprisingly, knowing your record, the police know your DNA.

"It is unfortunate it wasn't dealt with in June when you got four years. There is a mandatory minimum three years.

"I will give you 20 per cent discount. I will give you 876 days: it will not put back your release date."

Loraine, who was on early release from prison, was jailed in June for a stealing spree including pinching the purse of a 91-year-old lady as she was shopping in Swindon.

He also broke into three houses across Highworth and Swindon, stealing cash and watches worth thousands of pounds.

Loraine, who is originally from The Wirral, has a long list of previous convictions and has been sentenced as a three-strike burglar more than once before.

He was jailed for three years in 2015, just under three years in 2013 and about two-and-a-half years in 2011.