AN armed burglar broke into student digs and tried to steal a £1,400 computer.
Returning to his room at his student accommodation in Portswood after dark, Duncan McBride found that an intruder had used a knife and scissors to remove his computer security lock, which was attached to a radiator.
Prosecutor Gavin Sumpter said the front door had been prised open and damaged.
Police were called and Bradley Chapman’s DNA was found in the premises.
Chapman, 27, of Honeysuckle Road, Bassett, admitted burglary and received an 18-month suspended sentence with 12 months’ supervision and a six-month drug rehabilitation order.
He must also pay a £100 surcharge fee.
In mitigation at the city Crown Court, Mark Florida- James said there was no suggestion that Chapman had taken the knife and scissors with him.
He had a gambling problem which led to drug addiction, and he expected to go to prison.
Passing sentence, Judge Linda Sullivan QC told Chapman – who had 25 previous convictions – that it was his last chance or he would spend much of his life in prison.
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