A MAN who stole tools from a Southampton hospital and sold them to a pawnbrokers has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Ian David Masters trespassed into the grounds of Southampton General Hospital in September last year and stole the tools from the facility's hybrid theatre area.

The 30-year-old then sold the tools to Cash Converters.

In a separate incident in November, he also stole toiletries worth £91 from Next in Eastleigh.

Masters, of Chiltern Green, Southampton, indicated a guilty plea to two counts of theft and one count of fraud by false representation.

He was given a 12 week suspended sentence during an appearance at Southampton Magistrates' Court, due in part to his history of prolific offending.

Masters was also ordered to complete a 12 month long drug rehabilitation requirement, as well as a rehabilitation activity requirement of 10 days.