A MAN who "inflicted misery" on Southampton residents by invading their homes was tracked down with DNA left at the scene.

Cash, designer clothes, and jewellery were just some of the items Navroz Sarkari stole when he raided homes across the city.

He appeared in Southampton Crown Court having previously pleaded guilty to three counts of dwelling burglary and one count of attempted dwelling burglary with intent to steal.

The court heard how he "inflicted misery" on innocent people by "invading their homes and stealing their possessions".

The 52-year-old used a banister post to try to gain entry to a flat in Cranbury Place but was not successful and caused damage to the front door.

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He then forced entry into a flat in Bellevue Terrace, damaging its front door and a communal door.

He took jewellery, cash, designer clothes, and a red sports bag.

A few weeks later, a man returned to his flat in Hulse Road to find Sarkari in the hallway with a holdall full of his belongings.

He was confronted and the victim was able to get his belongings back, and he was able to grab Sarkari’s backpack before he fled the scene.

It is believed Sarkari used pieces of a plastic drinks bottle to slip the lock of a door and gain entry.

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DNA at the scene and items found in the backpack such as bank cards linked Sarkari to the burglary.

Another person came forward to police when the victim posted about the incident on social media.

His laptop, speakers, chargers and wallet were stolen by Sarkari when he burgled an address in Wilton Avenue just a few days before.

The Cranbury Place and Bellevue Terrace incidents happened on June 16, the Wilton Avenue burglary happened on July 4, and the Hulse Road incident happened on July 7.

Sarkari, of Lyon Street, Southampton was jailed for four and a half years.

DC Sarah Down from Western Investigations led the investigation. She said: “Now Sarkari is behind bars, he is no longer able to inflict misery on innocent people by invading their homes and stealing their possessions.

“We recognise the impact burglary has on the public, which is why we have committed to attending every reported house burglary in person.

“Please continue to report information to us – it is vital so we can ensure we can continue to make sure people like Sarkari face justice.”

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