A man who was jailed for eight years for a raid on a cattery has admitted to a further 49 offences in March.

Barry Robinson, 39, of St Peters Road, March, and two other men were sent to prison in January for their parts in the raid at a home in Wansford, near Peterborough.

On Wednesday, Robinson was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court after pleading guilty to a burglary at Specsavers, in High Street, March, in July 2011.

He also asked for a further 48 offences to be taken into consideration.

The offences were mostly burglaries, committed at homes and commercial and public properties in March between 2009 and 2012.

They included March Train Station, Mamma Mia Restaurant in Nene Parade, March Town Cricket Club, Neale-Wade Academy, Cancer Research UK, in Broad Street, and the Town Hall in Market Place.

Robinson was brought to the court but refused to appear and was sentenced in his absence to 12 months in prison to run concurrently to his current jail term.

DC Chris Smith said: “Robinson was responsible for many crimes in March over a period of years and properties in the town are more secure with him behind bars.”

Robinson burst into the home in Old Leicester Road, Wansford, with Jordan Cole, 24, at about 9am on Sunday, October 20.

The 67-year-old victim was at his kitchen table using his computer and was grabbed by Robinson, who put him in a head-lock and demanded to know where the safe was.

The victim reached into his pocket to grab a flick knife, which he used for his work, and attempted to stab his attacker, who then let him go and fled with Cole who also grabbed the victim’s mobile phone from the table.

They ran out of the house pursued by the victim. Robinson picked up a piece of wood and struck him but the victim managed to protect himself with his arm.

Cole also threw a brick at the victim but missed. They made off in a car being driven by Swaley Smith, 25, and police were called.

Police officers realised the getaway car, a blue Volkswagen Golf, had been reported as being driven suspiciously in the area the previous day and a message was sent to neighbouring forces.

At about 10.30am, the vehicle activated an automatic number plate recognition camera in Boston town centre and the three suspects were arrested.

All denied the offences and would not answer questions in interview.

However, Robinson was forensically linked to the crime after the victim’s blood, from a finger he accidentally cut with the flick knife, was found on his clothing, while Cole’s footprints were found at the scene.

Smith’s fingerprints were found on a plastic bag found outside the property by a police officer.

After being shown the evidence, Robinson and Smith, of Fields View, Benwick, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, while Cole, of no fixed abode, admitted burglary, relating to the mobile phone.

Cole was also jailed for eight years while Smith was sentenced to seven years.