A man serving a 32-month prison sentence for arson at a children’s nursery has been given a further jail term after admitting 15 thefts.

Ipswich Star: Arsonist and burglar Darren GrimwoodArsonist and burglar Darren Grimwood (Image: Archant)

Darren Grimwood, formerly of Bishop’s Hill, Ipswich, appeared before the town’s magistrates via a prison video link to admit two burglaries and also asked for a further 13 theft offences to be taken into account.

The burglaries occurred in Ipswich between March 1 and March 4 this year, and May 4 and May 7 this year.

During the first break-in the 29-year-old stole a D-Walt impact driver and a Torque wrench worth £200 from a shed in Ipswich.

Grimwood used a garden fork to gain access but left it by the shed. His DNA was found at the scene.

In the second burglary he stole various tools worth around £200 from another shed in the back garden of a property in Ipswich. Grimwood’s DNA was subsequently found on a glove left outside the shed.

Prosecutor Tess Mann told the court Grimwood had been jailed in June this year for arson.

During the hearing Grimwood admitted more than a dozen other thefts around Ipswich, including shed break-ins.

These offences happened between 2015 and earlier this year.

They occurred in Mitre Way, Dereham Avenue, Clapgate Lane, Davey Close, Landseer Road, Cliff Lane, and one in Rushmere St Andrew.

Bikes were also stolen from Holywells Park and twice at Suffolk New College.

Sue Threadkell, representing Grimwood, who has a history of previous convictions, said: “I concede he has a dreadful record. He’s a young man who has indulged most of his life in what the court might consider petty behaviour.”

Magistrates were told Grimwood had literacy and hearing issues and was drinking too much at the time of the offences.

Grimwood was given 18 weeks’ imprisonment to run concurrently with his 32-month sentence.

He must also pay a total of £475 to the owners of the sheds he burgled in March and May this year.

In June, Grimwood received his prison term following arsons at Little Learners Nursery and the Ipswich Furniture Project in Hogarth Road, Ipswich.

He was due to be sentenced earlier that month but absconded from Ipswich Crown Court before his original sentencing. Grimwood was subsequently recaptured and brought before the court.