A prolific burglar identified by his distinctive dragon tattoo has been granted an extra two weeks in custody so he can undertake a drugs rehabilitation programme.

Dale O'Rourke, of Clay Avenue in Mitcham, admitted four counts of burglary at a hearing last month after a police investigation into a spate of overnight business burglaries in Wimbledon.

April 21: Man with a dragon tattoo admits stealing a dress and cash in burglary spree

He stole £40 in cash and a dress from the Wimbledon Carriage Company in Kingston Road on December 4, and £1,200 in gift vouchers from the Merton Bus Garage on the same day.

He also took a laptop and music docking station worth £775 from the garage’s offices.

The next day he stole a bag from a staff room of the Trellis House Care Home in Mill Road, Wimbledon.

O'Rourke, 30, was on a suspended sentence for a previous burglary conviction when he committed the offences.

He was due to be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court today but was granted an extra two weeks in custody to undertake a drugs rehabilitation programme after his barrister pleaded with the judge.

Defence counsel Daren Samat said: "Finally Mr O'Rourke appears to have woken up to the realities of his life and the acquisitive crime he's been doing for the last 12 years and the problem has been to fund his drug habit."

He said since being remanded in custody on January 20, he has taken advantage of prison services - including treatment for his drug addiction and completing a victim awareness programme involving writing to people he stole from. 

Judge Nicholas Jones agreed to allow two weeks for probation services to carry out a drugs rehabilitation programme and complete a report.

But he warned O'Rourke that the recommendations in the report would not definitely be accepted by the court when he is sentenced on Monday, June 8.