A MAN with 113 offences on his criminal record stole a £22,000 Audi because he was in a mood after having an argument with his partner, a court heard.

Preston Crown Court heard how father-of-three Wayne Anthony Mark Russell had tried the doors of the cars parked on the driveway of a neighbouring house – a Hyundai i20 and a Toyota Auris.

But when that didn’t work he broke a window of a house in Revidge Road, Blackburn, and stole the keys of an Audi Q7 belonging to Tabassum Patel.

Prosecuting, Charles Brown said 40-year-old Russell committed that offence at 6.20am on September 25 but was identified by police from CCTV from Ms Patel’s house.

He was arrested at 11am at his home in Preston New Road, Blackburn, and police found the Audi parked around the corner.

Russell, who has 43 convictions for 113 offences, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft, two offences of vehicle interference, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

In her victim impact statement Mrs Patel said she felt anxious because of the invasion of privacy Russell committed in entering her home. She also said her two children were home at the time of the burglary and they feel anxious about further break-ins.

Defending, Neil Howard said his client had worked as a labourer for most of his life, was on a college course studying for a health and safety qualification around the time of the offences, and also had an interview with a national housebuilding firm in Manchester.

He said Russell was at a loss to explain why he committed the offences, other than he had been arguing with his partner of 16 years – a woman he has three children aged 21 and twins aged four with.

Mr Howard said: “He knows he’s due to receive a custodial sentence. He knows the twins will not be visiting him in custody. He accepts his actions are very selfish in that regard."

Jailing Russell for 21 months, Judge Philip Parry said the offences took place when the defendant was still under supervision for offences of drug-driving and driving while disqualified.

Judge Parry said: “Not only are the adults anxious and frightened that they have been the victims of burglary but so too are the children. You have children yourself. I am sure the thought of a stranger entering your house makes you sick with worry and anger.”

Russell was also banned from driving for four years.