A man from Oxfordshire has been jailed after a spree of criminal activity driven by substance abuse that caused significant financial damage to a technology repair company.

Johnathon Dobson, who lives at Tudor Close in Wallingford, received his sentence at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday, April 22.

The 44-year-old defendant was found guilty of two house break-ins, car vandalism and the stealing of electric bicycles in Wallingford, all committed on October 15 the previous year.

On that same date, he drove a van while uninsured, unlicensed and under the influence of drink.

Breath analysis showed 59 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is above the permitted level of 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres.

The court heard that one of the break-ins took place in October at a technology repair shop called Help I’ve Broken It Store on St Martin’s Street.

Dobson smashed a window and removed several expensive items including mobile phones and sat-nav devices. The shop remained shut for roughly four days, with the stolen goods worth £3,000.

Dobson later went to Wyatt Way and took two electric bicycles worth £4,030.

In that vicinity, he forced his way into several vehicles and stole items including a jacket, wallet and brown bag.

He then entered a nearby garage and left with spirits, Champagne, beer and power tools valued at £1,200.

Gordana Austin, for the defence, said he had admitted responsibility from the beginning. He had experienced considerable hardship during his childhood. He was struggling with emotional issues. He had accumulated multiple previous convictions. He had battled addiction for many years. He had been held in custody for six months. He was now free from drugs and alcohol. He had undertaken rehabilitation programmes. With sobriety, his outlook had changed. He finally recognised this behaviour could not continue. He had a genuine desire to reform. Despite his criminal history, the Probation Service recommended a suspended sentence.

Judge Hassan Khan stated he had accepted he was drunk. He had a long history of similar offences. He maintained this was not opportunistic. However, the criminal behaviour was clearly connected to alcohol. He called it impulsive. His time incarcerated had offered stability. He had contributed positively to prison life. He had not attempted to justify his actions.

The Judge sentenced Dobson to two years behind bars. He also received an 18-month disqualification from driving for the road traffic offences.