A MAN has been jailed for three months after admitting to theft from a motor vehicle.

Leon George Butt, 23, of no fixed abode,was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison after admitting to a charge of theft from a motor vehicle in Hedge End.

Southampton Magistrates Court heard how at around 5.08am, on January 3, Butt approached the door of a property on Estridge Close.

After unsuccessful attempts to get into the property he approached a van on the driveway and gained entry to the vehicle.

Police were called and Butt was identified by police officers and residents from an image captured on the victim’s doorbell video system.

He was today sentenced to 12 weeks in custody and further recalled to prison for his failure to comply with the conditions of his licensed release from prison for previous offences.

Detective Sergeant Simon Price, who is part of Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Hawk team, said: “We are pleased that the judge has decided to hand down a sentence befitting of the crime.

"Butt had been active in Northern parts of Southampton and the surrounding areas for a short period, before officers arrested him.

“The police have benefited from, and are grateful, for the CCTV and doorbell footage recorded by residents of the affected areas, and which have been subsequently supplied to police to aid our investigations.

“As ever, we would ask the public to remain vigilant, and to report any crimes which are in progress or where there is a threat to life by calling 999.

"Alternatively, if you've been a victim of crime, you can report it to us by calling 101 or by making a report online via our dedicated reporting tool.”