A SERIAL burglar who slashed the arm of a youth worker has been jailed for more than seven years.

Edward Scovell, 44, was convicted on October 8 of wounding with intent after swiping at Ronald Lamothe with a knife as he tried to calm an argument he was having with his partner.

Mr Lamothe required surgery on his arm after the attack, which took place at Scovell’s home at Donnington Gardens in east Reading on June 21 last year. He has suffered permanent scarring on his arm as a result. Judge John Reddihough said: “It was a nasty offence, the victim was simply there seeking to help your partner.”

Just before the sentencing hearing at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday last week, Scovell also pleaded guilty to three burglary charges of an 11-bedroom student house in Crescent Road, committed while on bail for the stabbing.

Jane Davis, prosecuting, said: “He was seen by a witness who knew he should not have been there and when the house was checked it was apparent that the bedrooms had been forced open and wardrobes searched.”

Nothing was stolen but Scovell pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to the three counts of trespassing with intent to steal.

Keith Webster, defending, said: “He was in a position where he was stupidly tempted. He was suffering from both medical and financial stress and his girlfriend had just told him she was pregnant.

“It was not planned, if it had been he would not have been wearing such distinctive clothing.”

Scovell was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for each of the burglaries running concurrently but was told he would have to serve the four years and nine months for the wounding on top, totalling seven years and three months.

Judge Reddihough said: “I accept that you have never committed a violent offence before and that on the same night when you saw the victim again you expressed remorse, but by then it was very much too late. And to make your position worse while on bail you committed the three burglaries that you have admitted to today.”