A BURGLAR desperate for cash to feed his drug habit broke into a house and left tell-tale evidence at the scene.

Sean Cooper was jailed for more than two years at Southampton Crown Court, having previously pleaded guilty to targeting a property at Fordingbridge in November last year.

Cooper broke into the house, which was occupied at the time, by smashing a bathroom window.

Tim Devlin, prosecuting, said blood and fingerprints found at the scene enabled police to link the defendant to the break-in.

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Anticipating a prison sentence for his client Charles Gabb, mitigating, said: "The greatest crime he has committed is chucking his life away by allowing himself to be incarcerated for some time hence.

"He is in the grip of a drug addiction that has driven him to crime."

As well as pleading guilty Cooper, 28, asked for four other offences, all relating to burglaries at commercial premises, to be taken into consideration.

The properties involved included a pub, a restaurant and a fish and chip shop, the court was told.

Mr Gabb said: "When he committed the commercial burglaries he was not alone. There was a real element of pressure exerted upon him by another person whom the police know about."

Referring to the domestic burglary committed by the defendant Mr Gabb said nothing was stolen.

He added: "It was still distressing and disturbing for the householder but it puts it in a certain category. He was simply after cash. He is not a professional burglar."

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Mr Gabb said Cooper, of Narrowleaf Drive, Ringwood, had attended classes while in prison awaiting sentence.

He added: "He has reflected upon his position. He is looking forward to the future and planning for it."

Judge Peter Henry told the defendant: "I have sympathy for people in the grip of Class A drugs and feel they have no future, but I have more sympathy for householders.

"Imagine your mother waking up one morning to discover her home had been broken into and damage caused."

Cooper, who had previous convictions for offences including burglary, theft and shoplifting, was jailed for 29 months. He will serve half his sentence behind bars before being released on licence.

Judge Henry said: "I hope you use your time constructively. it's up to you once you are released to make sure you keep away from drugs."

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