A burglar was jailed after he was caught red-handed.
A neighbour heard glass being smashed and called the police who found the front door of the Fair Oak property forced and saw Paul Murphy.
When asked what he was doing, he claimed he had seen three men about and wanted to see what was happening. Police were suspicious because he was wearing wollen gloves and trying to put something into his back pocket, said prosecutor Eleanor Fargin.
It was a screwdriver. Murphy became aggressive and was only arrested after he had been put to the floor, she said. He then made a racist remark to a police officer.
He apologised for the remark, saying he was ashamed at his actions and he had been “tired and emotional,” Ms Fargin added at Southampton Crown Court.
Murphy, 34, of Fair Oak Road, Eastleigh, admitted his 12th burglary.
Judge Peter Ralls QC jailed him for three years and two months.
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