A 23-year-old serial burglar, who deliberately targeted Suffolk primary schools, is today behind bars. Marc Nicholls, of Drake Avenue, Ipswich, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday to four counts of burglary carried out in May and June last year.

A 23-year-old serial burglar, who deliberately targeted Suffolk primary schools, is today behind bars.

Marc Nicholls, of Drake Avenue, Ipswich, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday to four counts of burglary carried out in May and June last year.

The court heard Nicholls had a string of burglary convictions and singled out a number of schools during his 13-year criminal career including Stowmarket Middle School, Old Newton Primary School, Stonham Aspal Primary School, St Alban's Catholic High School, in Ipswich, Wetheringsett Primary School, Orwell Park School, Suffolk College and Stoke Ash Primary School.

Sentencing Nicholls to two-and-half years in prison Judge David Goodin addressed Nicholls during the 15 minute hearing.

He said: “You are still a very young man and you have been a serious nuisance to the community. Not only have you spent a great deal of your youth in custody you have been targeting mainly, but not exclusively, schools as easy targets.

“Your record shows a campaign of burgling schools in this county.”

Judge Goodin said he gave Nicholls “maximum credit” for pleading guilty.

The court heard Nicholls left footprints at the scene of a number of crimes, which were later matched to his shoes by police.

Prosecuting Andrew Shaw said: “This is a series of burglaries between May and June last year. At Stowmarket Middle School between 6pm on May 25 and 8am on May 26 he removed the glass from a window got inside and stole £50 of cash which was hidden in a refrigerator.”

Mr Shaw said Nicholls also forced open a drawer and took £3,500 from Castle Electrical at Westerfield Business Centre between May 27 and May 31 2005.

In mitigation barrister Lindsay Cox said his client accepted he would go to prison.

He added: “He has restricted himself to what could be called commercial premises rather than dwelling premises. My client does not wish to add much mitigation except to say he has pleaded guilty at this early opportunity.”

Count 1 Burglary between May 24 and May 27 2005 - Stowmarket Middle School - £50 - Guilty plea.

Count 2 Burglary between May 27 and May 31 2005 - Castle Electrical - £3,500 - Guilty plea.

Count 3 Burglary between June 7 and June 10 2005 - Bentley Primary School - cash box, DVD player, laptop and bunch of keys - Not Guilty plea - charge to lie on file.

Count 4 Burglary between June 7 and June 10 2005 - Old Newton primary School - with intent to steal - Guilty plea.

Count 5 Burglary between June 7 and June 10 2005 - Stonham Aspal Primary School - with intent to steal - Guilty Plea.

Count 6 Burglary between June 7 and June 10 2005 - St Alban's Catholic High School, Ipswich - with intent to steal - Not Guilty plea-charge to lie on file.

Count 7 Failure to surrender to custody- November 2005 - Guilty plea.