A SERIAL thief has been jailed for more than five years after he admitted committing nine burglaries in less than two months.

Macauley Bowers targeted homes across Southampton, West End and Hedge End during a campaign of burgling, striking at premises between September 26 and November 7.

The 22-year-old targeted properties in Rothschild Close, Brookvale Road, Pentire Avenue, Redhill Crescent, Bassett Crescent East, Athelstan Road, Moorhill Road, Glenwood Avenue and Missenden Acres.

At Southampton Crown Court, Bowers pleaded guilty to the charges, and asked for a further five burglaries to be taken into account as Mr Recorder Richard Onslow sentenced him to five years and four months in prison.

Bowers, of Albion Towers, Southampton, stolen an array of items from the premises including electronics, jewellery, ID documents, necklaces and £40 cash.

Bowers originally appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court in November, a week after his final burglary.

On that occasion he did not enter a plea.

Magistrates opted to remanded Bowers into custody as they believed he was likely to reoffend.

Following the sentencing, PC Charlie Buckingham from the Operation Hawk team, which led the investigation from its base in Southampton Central Police Station, said: “Burglary is a distressing crime and the Operation Hawk team are delighted to have brought the person responsible for this series to justice.

“We are determined to tackle burglaries and other crimes that impact on our local communities.”

Last year, Bowers was sentenced to three years and four months at the same court for similar offences, including 14 break-ins.