A BURGLAR was tackled to the ground by a homeowner after stealing two chainsaws.

Mitchell Cooper, 37, was stopped by the owner of a home in Twyford Avenue, Southampton during a burglary last month.

The court heard how Cooper was accompanied by at least one other person and found his way into the home.

The owner, who was home at the time, found his conservatory door open and two of his chainsaws missing.

He then chased the balaclava-wearing burglar as he tried to escape, tackling him to the ground.

Cooper threatened the man before being arrested by police at the scene.

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Prosecuting, Peter Pride told Southampton Crown Court that officers had found car keys on the floor where the fight took place.

These led them to a car which was registered to Cooper’s address. 

The stolen items were located nearby.

In a statement read out in court, the victim said he had been unable to work whilst he waited for the chainsaws to be given back to him.

“It made me want to join a martial arts club.

“Balaclava man may have been caught but I don’t feel that I have won in any way despite me getting my belongings back.”

Cooper of Hillyfields, Southampton pleaded guilty to burglary.

Appearing on Wednesday he was jailed for 29 months.

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Judge, Peter Henry told Cooper, who has 37 previous convictions, that he is “really getting too old to be committing offences of any kind”.

“Money was tight but that is no excuse to go around taking other people’s property.

“This was a joint enterprise. You were prepared to use violence to try and get away.

“It is quite clear that this victim acted extremely bravely in the face of violence from at least two people.”

Mitigating, Keeley Harvey added that her client’s father had passed away and that this had been a “desperate act”.

“[He] did something that he bitterly regrets. He doesn’t cope very well with custody.

“He’s very keen to be getting out to look after his family.”

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Police Staff Investigator Cherelle Powell, of Southampton’s Operation Hawk burglary investigation team, said: “Burglary is such an invasive crime. It causes upset and stress to the victims which can be long-lasting.

“It is right that the public should be protected from the offender. We hope that prison sentences deter other persons from committing such crimes.”