A PROLIFIC thief who broke into a children’s nursery has been jailed for 14 months.

Peter McDonagh pleaded guilty to stealing and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage at both Tender Years Nursery in New Hall Lane, Heaton, and Prescott House mental health unit in Little Hulton.

The first incident happened on March 14 where he “smashed his way” into the nursery and stole items, including eight tablets, six cameras, a phone, £388, a doorbell chime and computer items, worth £2663.

The second happened on May 19 where he again “smashed his way” around the building, causing £3306 worth of damage, and bleeding a lot in the process.

Manchester Crown Court heard that the 38-year-old cut himself at both scenes due to smashing glass, helping police track him to his home address.

Daniel Preston, prosecuting, said McDonagh smashed a glass panel to get inside the nursery, stealing tablets, cameras and cash inside.

A victim impact statement was read on behalf of the nursery’s director who said the “ordeal made her fearful and worried that it would close the nursery for some time which was providing a key service”.

Daniel Lister, defending, said McDonagh had not reoffended since his initial arrest and that despite a “record that goes back for decades” he is “in need of a fresh start”.

He also said McDonagh should be given a suspended sentence so he could carry on his work as a brick layer and that if he is caught reoffending he will “face the most severe punishment”.

Mr Lister said he began reoffending as he was struggling to find work and “found himself in difficulties” so “fell back into old habits and reoffended” to provide for his family.

But Judge Anthony Cross QC said that McDonagh had caused a lot of distress to the nursery that provides a vital service.

He gave him credit for pleading guilty at the “earliest opportunity” but could not excuse the offences that he had committed and his “shocking” record.

McDonagh, of Peel Park Crescent, Little Hulton, has a record dating back to 2002 and had only been released from prison for an offence in December 2019.

He said: “It goes without saying that this was a children’s nursery.

“The director who has been there four years is worried for the nursery that does provide a vital service in any climate.

“They have for the short term had to deal with the consequences of what you’ve done.”

He added: “Barely a year had gone past between December 2019 and your first offence in March.

“It was done at a time when you should have been on your best behaviour.

“I am very sorry that you have had a bad personal life and I take into account everything but you have a shocking record."

McDonagh was sentenced to 14 months in prison.