A homeless man who burgled a house and stole a car from its driveway is now behind bars.

Max Plaister broke into a house in Beaumont Rise, Fareham, on June 7 last year.

He then proceeded to steal a Vauxhall Mokka from the driveway outside.

The incident sparked a police investigation as officers tried to find where the vehicle was.

Two days later, on June 9, they struck gold when the vehicle was found in Thatcher’s Copse car park in Titchfield.

The vehicle was recovered by officers and then examined by the forensics team for clues.

Forensic evidence was found which linked the 21-year-old to the vehicle.

Plaister, of no fixed abode, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday, November 13 last year where he pleaded guilty to burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

He also pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and theft from a motor vehicle relating to an incident in Bye Road, Swanwick, on October 9 last year.

Plaister got into a car and stole a key from inside, before trying and failing to get into a house on that road with the key.

Plaister was sentenced to a further eight offences as well as the incidents above on Thursday.

He was jailed for a total of 27 months at Portsmouth Crown Court.

PC Kevin Parker, from the Eastern Area Crime Team, said: “Burglary can leave victims feeling incredibly vulnerable due to its invasive nature as a crime.

“Our homes are spaces where we should feel the most safe, and for someone to brazenly invade that space can leave a long-lasting scar.

“We take a robust stance against burglary and offenders such as Plaister, who show complete disregard to the impact their actions have on innocent people.

"I hope the public can feel reassured now that he has been jailed.”