A SERIAL burglar dubbed ‘Safari Boy’ after being sent on a trip of a lifetime to Africa in a failed bid to stop his offending as a boy has been jailed for his latest offence – breaking into an elderly widower’s home.

Mark Hook, now 38, from Gloucester, was taken on an 88-day safari to Egypt and Kenya at public expense when he was just 17 – sparking a national outcry which included condemnation in the House of Commons by the then prime minister John Major.

But it proved a waste of taxpayers’ money, for Hook has continued to offend ever since. Gloucester Crown Court heard last week that in April this year, he smashed his way into an 86-year-old man’s remote home in Gloucestershire, ransacked it and stole property and cash, including photographs of sentimental value.

Judge William Hart told Hook, of Barton Street, Gloucester: “You targeted an elderly man’s remote home at night... after smashing the burglar alarm off the wall. “Your victim, who has been burgled before, can hardly sleep happily in his bed again under those circumstances.

“You have a chequered criminal history and committed your first burglary when you were only 14 or 15 years of age.”

Prosecuting barrister Julian Kesner said: “The day before Frederick Talbot returned from holiday to his home at Lake Lodge Bungalow, North Nibley, near Dursley, the defendant jimmied his way into the property through a bathroom window using a screwdriver.

“An untidy search was made of every room and drawers were left open and cupboards ransacked.”

Items including cash, bank cards, a medal, passports, a bag containing £120 in £2 coins, £26 from the victim’s grand-daughter’s money box, cheque books, bank cards, a wallet, a watch, Mr Talbot’s national service medal, old passports and photographs were taken.

“Tokens for an OAP to use on buses were left behind, but the defendants’ fingerprints were found on items left in the house.

“The victim is naturally upset and unnerved and fears the burglar will come back again.

“Mr Talbot lives alone as his wife died four years ago after the couple had been married for 59 years.

“Fortunately the old passports and photographs were recovered in a car nearby which the defendant had attempted to hot-wire after the burglary.

“Hook has a large number of previous convictions – more than 100 – including seven burglaries.”

Defending solicitor Nicola Colwall said: “Damage was minimal and my client denies that he brought the screwdriver with him – he says he found it in the garden shed.

“All the items of sentimental value were recovered.

“He has had a troubled, miserable childhood, was in care from the age of 11 and in custody when he was 16.

“But although he was offending prolifically in his 20s now, at the age of 38, he is beginning to feel the weight of his background. His feelings of guilt and remorse are growing, he is tired and ashamed of himself and having nightmares about the things he has done.”

“He also has an eight-year-old daughter and needs to feel responsibility for her.”

Judge Hart jailed Hook for 22 months.

During the safari trip in 1993 Hook visited the Pyramids and the Sphinx, cruised the Nile and went to a big game park.

Referring to the £7,000 trip after a previous hearing, Mr Talbot said: “Holiday or no holiday he will obviously never change his ways.”

Hook claims to be a descendant of Private Henry Hook, who won the Victoria Cross fighting the Zulus at Rorke’s Drift in 1879.

The battle inspired the film Zulu in which Private Hook, who is buried in Churcham, near Gloucester, was played by James Booth.

After today’s hearing, investigating officer PC Gavin Davis, of Gloucestershire Police Force Crime Ops team, said: “During this burglary items of huge sentimental and financial value were stolen from the 86 year old victim as well as the house being ransacked but thankfully all the property was recovered. We have been able to return all the stolen property in this case to the rightful owner.

“Excellent work by our scenes of crimes team identified the defendant, from fingerprint and DNA evidence. Crimes of this nature are incredibly intrusive and impactive on the victim. The police are committed, not only in reducing these crimes but catching and convicting those responsible.

“During these longer nights we appeal to people to be vigilant, report any suspicious behaviour and to protect your property, making sure it is secure and looks occupied. Anyone with any information regarding burglaries or where we can recover stolen property please don’t hesitate to contact the police on 101, you can also do this anonymously if you prefer calling crime stoppers on 0800 555111.”