A burglar who sparked terror across Chester and Ellesmere Port during a two-month crime spree has been jailed for five years.

A couple staying at the Pied Bull Hotel in Chester were left shaking with fear as Graham Smith, 34, broke into their bedroom and began rifling through their luggage on August 5.

When the man attempted to wrestle with him, Smith threatened to stab him with a screwdriver  before escaping out of the window with the man’s wallet and Rolex watch.

Smith, of Ellesmere Port, was arrested shortly afterwards and also admitted breaking into and stealing electrical items from a house in Talbot Street, Chester, where he swiped a £900 laptop, a ring and cash from a house on West Street, Hoole, as well as another four burglaries on Mill Lane, Upton, Cambridge Road in Ellesmere Port and a second burglary at the Pied Bull, all during July and August.

Chester Crown Court heard how Smith, who had a long history of offences, was trying to fund his cocaine and heroin problem.

He had previously received three years in prison for a spate of burglaries in 2010.

PC Steve Hannam of Chester Inner Demand Reduction team said: “Luckily, incidents of this nature are rare.

“The incident would have been worrying for the couple at the hotel who were simply enjoying their stay in Chester.

“Our enquiries moved quickly to identify Smith and we welcome the sentence given at court which clearly shows that incidents of this nature will not be tolerated.”

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