Serial burglar with fetish for women's underwear arrested while wearing stolen basque in pub

A serial burglar with a fetish for women's underwear was caught by police while wearing a stolen basque in a pub. Carl Nicholson, who has 120 convictions for stealing women's clothing from homes and washing lines, was found with a rucksack packed with stolen knickers. A sharp eyed member of the public tipped off the police after seeing him acting suspiciously and officers found him at the Royal Oak pub in Exeter, Devon, very close to the scene of his most recent raid.

He had only been out of jail for three weeks after ending a four year sentence for identical offences, Exeter Crown Court was told. Nicholson, aged 43, of no fixed address, admitted burglary and theft and was jailed for two years, suspended for two years and ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and receive drug rehabilitation by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC. He told him: "Your record shows numerous thefts and burglaries, may committed in search for female garments. The pre sentence report says you are suitable for drug rehabilitation and I shall follow that recommendation.



"I should warn you that if you reoffend in the next two years you will serve this sentence. The unpaid work should keep you busy and away from drugs." Jonathan Barnes, prosecuting, said a woman living in Regents Square, Exeter came home on March 14 to find her back gate open and nine pairs of knickers stolen from the line in her yard. The house had also been entered and her underwear drawer had been ransacked and more knickers taken. A neighbour saw Nicholson leaving the area and later spotted him at the Royal Oak in Heavitree. He called the police, who arrested him.

Mr Barnes said:"He was carrying a rucksack in which was found a large quantity of female underwear. he admitted his guilt and when searched was found to be wearing an Ann Summers basque." Nicholson has convictions for 120 offences and has a long record of committing offences of this kind. He was released on February 22 from a four year sentence for burglary. Vanessa Francis, said prison sentences have failed to stop Nicholson's offending in the past and treatment of his underlying drug problem may prove more effective. She urged the Judge to give him credit for his guilty plea and take into account the suggestions of a probation report which deemed him suitable for drug rehabilitation.