PARIS – In what Justice Robert E. Crowley dubbed an “unusual” case, a man with multiple charges of burglary was sentenced to four months in the county jail Tuesday.

Scott Burton, 31, of 19 Andrews Hill, Woodstock, had no prior criminal record when he was indicted on three counts of burglary, three counts of theft and one count of criminal mischief. He was convicted on one count of burglary and one count of theft. All the incidents happened between Sept. 15 and Nov. 30, 2005.

Burton’s attorney, John Jenness, said mental health issues led Burton to commit the crimes. Burton, a carpenter, would enter the homes of his clients and steal items in broad daylight, police records show.

Crowley acknowledged that the documentation Jenness provided supported these claims. Jenness had medical records indicating that Burton was bipolar and has other illnesses. The records show that the symptoms and medications may have pushed him toward crime.

“His behavior started to get bad, and he started to do bad things,” Jenness said.

Around the time of the crimes, Burton did seek help, Jenness said. He was referred to the Tri-County Mental Health Services and put on a waiting list. Days before his arrest, he was admitted.

“Mr. Burton, from the beginning, has been remorseful about this,” Jenness told the judge.

Since his arrest Nov. 30, 2005, Burton has made progress, and continues to be in counseling.

Burton’s wife, Donna, testified Tuesday. She said she noticed a change in Burton as he was affected by the disease, and now that he is on medication he is doing better.

Burton also testified.

“Every day I’m sorry for what I did,” he told the judge. “I feel horrible. I’m doing the best I can. I never thought I’d be going through this.”

Assistant District Attorney Richard Beauchesne suggested that Burton serve nine months of the three-year sentence.

“We think it’s an awfully good deal,” he told the judge.

Jenness suggested three months.

“We recognize that jail time is in order…,” he said. “But nine months will not be helpful to Scott.”

Because Burton had no criminal history, and what seemed like a low chance of getting in trouble again, Crowley agreed to a four-month sentence.

After his sentence, Burton will spend three years on probation. Crowley ordered that Burton continue psychiatric counseling, pay restitution and not have contact with the victims.

“I don’t think that Scott is going to be violating probation,” Jenness said.

Crowley granted a stay of execution until Monday so Burton could spend Thanksgiving with his family.

“This case is unusual,” Crowley said. “To have a documented psychiatric explanation makes it further unusual.”