This is the face of the 'career burglar' who defied lockdown rules to break into the same WHSmith store twice in two days.

James Coughlan had recently been released from prison on licence and was banned from Hinckley town centre.

However, the 44-year-old was spotted by CCTV cameras walking around the town before entering the WHSmith store, in Castle Street, at night, and again the following morning.

Anthony Cheung, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court that an unknown burglar initially broke into the WHSmith shop on Saturday, March 28.

Coughlan had been told the thief dropped money outside and he went retrieve £40 on the pavement.

The defendant later returned to burgle the premises himself - taking unknown cash and scratchcards.

He then returned early the next morning to help himself to more items.

Appearing at court via a video link from prison, Coughlan, of Lynton Court, King Street, Barwell, admitted two burglaries and one theft from WHSmith on March 28 and 29.

The court heard the defendant had 84 crimes on his criminal record, including burglary and theft offences.

Judge Martin Hurst said: "On March 23 the prime minister of this country ordered, or asked, us all to stay indoors.

"Five days later you weren't indoors, you were sauntering in a nonchalant fashion through the streets of Hinckley, where you'd been barred from going.

"You came out of prison for burglary offences (on January 20) and went straight back to a life of crime.

"You're a career burglar, appearing on an almost annual basis before these courts."

"You stole cash and scratchcards and you returned the following morning at about 6am and took anything you could find of value inside," the judge added.

"The streets of Hinckley were completely deserted because we were all supposed to be indoors."

Detective constable Tom White, from Hinckley CID said: "Unfortunately, during the current climate, there are people like Coughlan who will see the lockdown as an opportunity to go out and commit crimes for financial gain.

"But he was caught on CCTV and thanks to the good work of our officers, was identified, promptly arrested and charged.

"I’m pleased he's now serving a custodial sentence, where hopefully he’ll take time to reflect on the nature of his offending."

Coughlan was jailed for two years.