In June last year Judge Carol Hagen had the option of jailing drug addict Jason Reed for three years after he admitted his fourth burglary since "three-strike" rules, introduced to put habitual offenders behind bars, came into force. It was the 12th burglary on his criminal record at the time.
Instead she gave the convicted rapist a suspended jail term, with a drug treatment order to help him kick his habit.
But Reed relapsed and carried out dozens more crimes.
At Bristol Crown Court yesterday Reed admitted one burglary and one theft in November last year – and asked for 49 other break-ins, stretching back more than a decade, to be taken into consideration. Of the 50 burglaries before the court yesterday, 22 had been committed since last June.
The 39-year-old, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years.
He wrote Judge Hagen a letter saying: "I'd like to take this opportunity to apologise to the victims. I have no intention of returning. I'm very sorry for my actions."
The judge told him: "You are aware of the impact, trauma, fear and misery that your offending has caused.
"Your letter to me indicates remorse, understanding and a determination to try and address that underlying problem.
"You have an appalling record for burglary. You know there is a minimum sentence."
Judge Hagen has previously been criticised for declining to send serious offenders to jail.
Lorraine Andrews, who discovered her carer Jane Hoy was stealing from her, said she had been left "absolutely gobsmacked" in 2010 when Judge Hagen sentenced Hoy to a suspended prison term, despite describing her offence as "a gross breach of trust targeting a vulnerable victim".
The judge was also criticised in 2010 by members of the public on the Evening Post's website after a man who repeatedly stabbed a neighbour in a jealous rage over a text message sent to his girlfriend and a man found with 3,400 indecent images of children both avoided custody.
And in February this year Broadmead jeweller David Bush said there was a "hideous disconnection" between the courts and people on the street after jewel thief Mikey Rush, of Withywood, who stole �20,000 worth of items from his and ten other shops, was spared jail by Judge Hagen.
Kenneth Bell, prosecuting, told the court Reed was in a car stopped by police a day after he had burgled a home in Melrose Place, Clifton, taking a passport, camera, sunglasses, cash, cufflinks and computer gaming equipment. Officers found The next day police stopped a car in which Reed was a passenger, and found items stolen in the raid with Reed's fingerprints on.
Having been released on police bail, Reed was invited into a home in Portland Street, Clifton, and took bank cards, jewellery and a watch.
Reed was tied to that theft when his fingerprints were found on a bedroom drawer.
Mr Bell said one of the burglaries Reed asked to be considered was in Hanham in February last year, where a 14-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother hid in a wardrobe as he forced entry to their home.
The court heard the terrified youngsters phoned their mother and told them an intruder was in the house, before the phone went dead.
Reed escaped before police arrived shortly afterwards, taking with him the girl's laptop computer.
Mr Bell said: "They were terrified. The lad thought they were going to die."
The court heard Reed had taken police on a tour pointing out places he had burgled. Nicholas Fridd, defending, said his client had pointed out one burglary he did in Long Ashton from which he was able to help police recover stolen war medals.
The medals belonged to former Army doctor Dave Winfield and included some he was awarded during his service as well as his grandfather's Second World War medals. The Post reported the theft of the medals last year and their recovery in January.
Mr Fridd said: "We can't turn back the clock but he is making every possible effort."He recognises, as a result of a programme he was on, exactly how much trauma burglary of your own house causes."He's not trying to play the system. He wants closure. He knows he's been incredibly bad. The word he uses is 'evil'."
Detective Constable Alistair Binnie confirmed Reed had taken police on three drive-rounds, resolving 49 unsolved burglaries.
He said: "I think he's got his problems. That's no excuse. It is a horrible crime and Mr Reed understands his actions.
"Whatever happens today hHe's expressed willingness for the Restorative Justice Programme, in which he would be face to face with victims."
"He's also willing to seek help with his addiction.
"Closure for victims is the big thing. Four years down the road, when burglaries are resolved it is still closure for them."
In 2004 Reed was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to rape, indecent assault and false imprisonment of a woman.
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