A SERIAL thief stole from his neighbours following a dispute.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard Jason Fishwick was involved in a dispute with nearby residents on Wharf Road, Redvales.

After a complaint was made he entered their home, the court was told.

But a short time later they realised that items were missing and police were contacted.

Officers later found the items at the nearby home of Fishwick.

Paul Dockery, prosecuting, said: “Items which were recovered were a wallet, keys and cash.

“The cash that was complained of being missing was £60.

“The defendant was spoken to the following day by police.”

Fishwick, now of Bury New Road, Heywood, appeared in court after previously admitting the theft, which took place in October 2019.

The court heard he had 24 previous convictions for theft and in 2013 was jailed for four years for drug dealing.

The 50-year-old had previously been charged with burglary but pleaded guilty to theft on the basis that he was invited into the property.

The residents of the house had said they would not be attending at any trial over the issue.

Judge John Potter described it as a “nasty and mean thing to do.”

The judge said: “You are 50 years of age, you have on any view an unenviable record of convictions in your past. There are 24 matters recorded for theft.

“Most recently you received a four year sentence in custody for drug dealing.

“Thereafter for quite a period of time in your life you remained out of trouble until October 2019.

“The two of them had made a complaint against you but you went to their home to clear the air, as far as you were concerned you did not clear the air at all.

“You stole items from their home by way of getting back at them for the complaint they had previously made.

“That was a mean and nasty thing to do.”

He suspended a sentence of nine months for a period of 18 months, ordered Fishwick to attend at 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and placed him on a drug rehabilitation requirement course to last for six months. He also imposed a three-month curfew.