A 45-YEAR-OLD "professional" burglar who travelled by train from Birmingham to raid houses in Kidderminster has been sent to jail.

Terrance Round went to a house in Hoo Road, Kidderminster, and kicked the front door but was surprised to find the occupant was at home on the morning of April 29 last year, Worcester Crown Court was told.

He made up a cover story by asking directions to the golf course and then went to try two more properties nearby which he found empty, Nicholas O'Brien, prosecuting, told the court.

He broke into one in Chester Road South through a window causing £200 damage and stole some medals, three pocket watches, 20 silver coins and a laptop. He then went on to Hopton Drive, kicked open a front door and stole jewellery and a computer tablet.

The total value of the items was over £1,500 but many were of sentimental value and had not been recovered, the court heard.

Mr O'Brien said Round, who was known to the police, was spotted on CCTV and when his mobile phone was checked, they were able to track his train journey from Birmingham to Kidderminster.

He was picked out in an Identity procedure by the householder who had given him directions to the golf club and had become suspicious when he did not follow them.

Round, of Cotterills Lane, Birmingham, pleaded guilty on the day of a trial to two charges of burglary and one of attempted burglary.

Sukhdev Garcha defending, said Round had been taking a catering course in prison because he wanted to change his life when he is released.

Recorder Denis Desmond said Round was a "professional" burglar with 36 previous convictions for 106 offences dating back to 1984 who had travelled to Kidderminster on an "expedition" away from his home territory. He was jailed for a total of 37 months.