THIS prolific burglar is back behind bars after going a crime spree in Derby just days after his release from prison.
Heroin addict Nicholas Scales has been handed another six year stretch to add to the 17 years he has been sentenced to for scores of break-ins since 2000.
The 47-year-old's latest offences saw him plead guilty to two burglaries, in Littleover and Mickleover, and ask for an additional 18 other house - committed in just over two months - breaks to be taken into consideration.
Even is own barrister, Chris Hallas, told Derby Crown Court "It is ironic that it is probably only lengthy spells in prison that are keeping him alive."
Scales shouted from the dock "I don't want to spend the rest of my life in prison, I have a problem with drugs" as Judge John Burgess put him back behind bars this week (Tues).
The court was told how Scales broke into a house in Glebe Rose, Littleover, on February 26 and another in Station Road, Mickleover, two days later.
After he was arrested he asked for the other burglaries to be taken into consideration.
In total the goods he stole, including jewellery, electrical equipment and, during one break-in, a Mars Bar, were valued at more than £20,000.
Jailing Scales, Judge Burgess said: "Your list of anti-cedents is a depressing document.
"I am told when you are not on drugs you are a decent man but when the drugs come into play you don't care about what harm you cause to the person whose property you burgle.
"It is like an assault.
"People think they are safe in their own home but when people like you come along and do what you do they feel violated."
The court was told that Scales first burglary took place in 1985 when he was a teenager.
He was handed a three and a half year sentence in 2000, jailed for five years in 2002, for four years in 2008 and a further five years in 2010, all for burglary.
Siward James-Moore, prosecuting, said Scales had been released from his latest sentence in December last year and committed his first offence on December 30.
As well as the two burglaries he pleaded guilty to other break-ins took place throughout January, February and early March when he was arrested.
Mr James-Moore read out a victim impact statement from one of the Derby burglaries from a woman identified only as "Amy".
He said: "In it she says she lives with her mother and they used to feel safe in their home until the defendant broke in.
"She says she may never feel safe in her own home again.
"At one of the break-ins, in Glebe Drive, the patio door was smashed, items were removed from the drawers, bags were emptied and a purse was among the items stolen.
"There was blood on one of the surfaces in the kitchen and a sticking plaster was used.
"There was an abundance of forensic evidence."
Chris Hallas, for Scales, of no fixed abode, said his client was committing the offences "to fuel the habit that was wrecking his life."
Detective Sergeant Zulfi Sher is from Derby's volume crime team.
He said: "Nicholas Scales is a persistent offender who has caused a great deal of trauma to his victims.
"When a house is burgled the residents often feel violated and distraught that a stranger has been in their home.
"I hope that this verdict will bring some closure for his victims.
"This lengthy sentence will reduce the risk of burglary in Derby as there has been a significant decrease in burglaries since his arrest and imprisonment."
