A SOUTHAMPTON man who was arrested for stealing thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from a New Forest home was caught red handed committing another burglary just weeks later.

Robin Blackburn, 45, of Malmesbury Road, Southampton, was sentenced to more than two years in prison after committing five burglaries in the space of two months.

At Southampton Crown Court, Blackburn pleaded guilty to burgling two homes in Beaulieu and Ashurst in May and June this year, respectively, while three other Beaulieu burglaries during June were taken into consideration.

On May 29, Blackburn used a brick to smash through the kitchen window of a cottage in Hatchett Lane, Beaulieu, while the occupants were out. Once inside, Blackburn stole sentimental jewellery worth £7,000. Blackburn was arrested after his fingerprint was found in a wardrobe in one of the bedrooms.

The jewellery was recovered by police from a pawn brokers and returned to its rightful owners.

On June 24, Blackburn again used a brick to smash the kitchen window of a home on Lyndhurst Road in Ashurst. The occupant returned home at 11am to find Blackburn in his house helping himself to cash.

The occupant chased Blackburn down the road and tackled him to the ground before calling police. Blackburn fully admitted his crime whilst in police custody.

Blackburn was sentenced to a total of 125 weeks in prison at Southampton Crown Court.