A WOMAN recognised a serial burglar shortly before he broke into her Stourport home.

She was driving away from Ryvere Close in the early afternoon when she noticed Alan Dyke and later informed police.

While she was out, he got in through an unlocked patio door on July 17 and stole computer games worth £1,200.

But he became a victim of crime himself when he was attacked by a vigilante in retaliation for the burglary, said David Taylor, defending.

It was Dyke's third house raid in the area. He sold the games for £110 to buy drugs, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Dyke, 32, of Windmill Close, Stourport, pleaded guilty to burglary and was jailed for two years and five months.

He had a lamentable record due to drug problems, said Mr Taylor, but managed to keep away from crime during a relationship.

But after it finished he drifted back to old friends and lasped into offending again.

Mr Taylor said police arrested a number of people after the assault. One man had been charged. Dyke's mother had also been spat at.

Dyke wanted to change his life and was motivated enough to accept help by being given drug rehabilitation, said Mr Taylor.

But Judge Alistair McCreath said a long sentence had to be imposed for repeated burglaries.