A PROLIFIC thief was captured after his victim posted CCTV pictures on social media.

A police officer spotted them and recognised career criminal Warren Spencer.

The 43-year-old has now been jailed for 876 days after admitting his latest crime.

Bolton Crown Court heard how the Forster family were woken at just before 5am on July 9 by the alarm going off in the conservatory at their Morven Grove, Breightmet, home.

"Mrs Forster immediately went downstairs to see there was a small window that was open and was alarmed to see a muddy mark on the settee and realised someone had entered the premises," said Simone Flynn, prosecuting.

Mrs Forster and her husband went to the front door to see a man running away.

But the family had CCTV cameras around the property and Spencer was filmed unplugging them before entering the conservatory.

"Fortunately nothing was stolen from the premises," said Miss Flynn.

Three hours later, quick-thinking Mrs Foster posted the CCTV footage onto a community Facebook site.

"A local police officer, who has known the defendant for a period of time, immediately recognised the image of Warren Spencer," said Miss Flynn.

When arrested, Spencer, of no fixed address, admitted the burglary.

"He said he went on to commit the offence having had an argument with his partner that evening," said Miss Flynn.

In a victim statement Mrs Forster said she and her husband have been left very angry as they work hard to afford things and now have to upgrade their home security.

The court heard that Spencer has convictions for 86 previous offences - 57 of which are for theft or burglary - and he has spent several periods of time in prison.

Mark Friend, defending, agreed with Judge Timothy Stead that there had been no property taken or confrontation with the victims during the latest burglary.