A burglar caught on the roof of a Stansted building where he had raided the offices of solicitors and accountants was jailed for a year today (Monday).

Jake Smith, 22, of no fixed address, was spotted by police on the roof of the building in Station Road, Stansted, after he had raided the offices of Murdoch’s Solicitors and C & O Associates on January 13 this year.

He was talked down from the roof and arrested by police who were assisted by the fire brigade. Smith had told the police as they talked to him: “I would rather die than go back to prison.”

Smith pleaded guilty to burglary involving the theft of £25 and keys from Murdoch’s Solicitors which he ransacked causing damage worth £1,000 and entering C & O Associates, with intent to steal.

Sentencing him at Chelmsford Crown Court, Recorder Gerard Pounder said: “This offending is not tolerated in a civilised society. You’ve got many convictions for this sort of thing and been to prison.”

Stephen Rose, prosecuting, said: “In the early morning of January 13 this year police were called by members of the public at about 5.20am having heard sounds from the building.

“Officers attended and it was clear entry had been forced into the ground floor solicitors – a window was smashed costing £1,000 to repair – and £25 cash taken, along with an unknown amount from a charity box.

“Entry was also gained to the office above where a window was smashed.”

Smith then got onto the roof before being talked down. He had nine previous convictions involving commercial buildings, said Mr Rose.

Bryony Clark, mitigating, said Smith had been to a party, taken crack cocaine and alcohol and didn’t remember much about what happened.