A HABITUAL burglar has be brought to justice - thanks to a mobile phone snap taken by a suspcious neighbour.

It led police to the door of one of the city’s most prolific burglars as, after his arrest, Dixon admitted committing more than 50 burglaries across Southampton, the city crown court was told.


But now he has been spared a prison term after a judge told him he would be given a final chance to conquer the drug addiction that was causing his offending.


Prosecutor Barnaby Shaw explained how his thieving ended when officers, who were investigating a burglary at a dental surgery nearby, saw the resident’s photo and recognised Dixon.


The neighbour had taken the picture after confronting Dixon when he spotted him in his garden.


Dixon was arrested and, in total, charged with four counts of burglary and threatening to damage property, but then admitted a staggering 49 further break-ins at properties across Southampton spanning several years.


He was described in court as a “career” criminal having started offending at the age of 14.
Detectives visited Dixon in prison and he agreed to take them on a tour of the city, pointing out where he had targeted.


Mr Shaw said: “The police have pointed out how, had it not been for Mr Dixon’s admissions, the crimes would have gone unsolved.”


He described how the other 49 offences that were taken into consideration by the court, were commercial premises that included a vet’s clinic, restaurants, hairdressers and a leisure centre.


At most of the break-ins Dixon left empty handed but thousands of pounds worth of DJ equipment was taken from one property while tills, cash boxes and safes were taken from scores of independent shops and businesses.


In total the haul was worth in excess of £10,000, Mr Shaw said.


Mitigating for Dixon, of Wadhurst Gardens Weston, Sarah Jones explained that his offending was funding a long-standing drug addiction which now he was committed to tackling.


She said by admitting all the other offences he had “wiped the slate clean” and now wanted to get free of drugs and committing crime.


Imposing a six-month drug rehabilitation order with a two-year community and supervision order, Judge Peter Henry admitted it was an “exceptional step” for him not to jail Dixon.


He said: “I have taken the view in these exceptional circumstances that the public is best protected by attempting to treat your drug problem. That is the only reason why I am not sending you to prison. It is an exceptional step and I hope you take advantage of it.”


He said that while the 49 offences he had subsequently admitted were an aggravating factor it was also to his credit that he had co-operated with police in admitting otherwise unsolvable crimes.