A BURGLAR is hoping the 'three strikes and you're out' rule will be waived when he is sentenced.

Dean Checkley, 51, who the court was told had a heroin habit over a number of years, pleaded guilty at Taunton Crown Court to stealing a laptop in a distraction burglary at a home in Meare Green, Stoke St Gregory on March 28.

It was Checkley's third burglary conviction since 2006, which would normally attract a minimum sentence of three years' jail.

Emma Martin, prosecuting, said Checkley, of Wordsworth Drive, Taunton, stopped at the property and asked for directions, picking up the laptop on his way out and later selling it to Cash Converters. It has since been recovered.

Harry Ahuja, defending, successfully applied for the case to be adjourned for reports until May 25 in the hope of his client avoiding a jail term.

Before Checkley left the court, Mrs Martin said he had also been involved in three offences of fraud, having been caught on CCTV using a stolen bank card to take out money from cashpoint machines.

Checkley initially refused to answer when Judge David Ticehurst asked: "Did you do it?"

After the judge repeated the question, Checkley said: "I was there and I did use the card."

He was released on unconditional bail.