A HAMPSHIRE man stole a safe during a teenager’s house party, which she had arranged while her parents were away.

Ryan McNeish removed the safe from the house during the party and enlisted two friends to help him open it with an axe.

Inside, the 21-year-old found a number of sentimental items and an authentication certificate for a luxury watch – belonging to the teenager’s dad.

The items, estimated to have a combined value of around £3,000, were never recovered.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, McNeish, who is already serving a 40-month prison sentence for robbery, was jailed for a further nine months.

The court was told how McNeish attended the party on February 23 last year.

During the party, McNeish removed the safe, located in the master bedroom.

Prosecutor Michael Mason said how McNeish, Liam Wall and Craig Harfield later brought the safe into the home of a friend.

Wall, 26, of Eastleigh, later used an axe to open the safe.

Mr Mason said the safe contained keys, bank cards, family items, including christening caps and hair locks, and a certificate for a Rolex watch.

The friend whose home was used to bring the safe to later called the police.

Mitigating for McNeish, who pleaded guilty to theft, Joanne Chester said McNeish did not finish school and came from a “chaotic background”.

Mitigating for Harfield, who pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, Thomas Acworth said the 21-year-old walked away after seeing the contents of the safe and made no financial gain from it.

A warrant was ordered for Wall, who did not attend court.

Judge Nicholas Rowland sentenced McNeish, of Fryern Close, Chandler’s Ford, to a nine month prison sentence, and Harfield, of Sycamore Avenue, Chandler’s Ford to a five month curfew.