A HAMPSHIRE burglar is behind bars after targeting homes in a four-month crime spree, bagging thousands of pounds worth of property.

Christopher Clarke was sentenced to nine months in jail for a string of burglaries.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard how the 31-year-old from Southcliff Road, Southampton, carried out a wave of burglaries across the county between November 2008 and February 2009.

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On his first visit to Middle Street he stole a laptop, a games console and a watch, totalling £10,000, and bagged 30 DVDs on his return during the Christmas holiday.

The judge heard how Clarke went on to sell the DVDs for £40 at a pawnbroker in Leigh Road, Eastleigh, on December 31.

His next target was a home in Athelstan Road, Bitterne, on December 15, where he stole a 22ins LCD television, which he sold for £60 at Cash Converters in Shirley.

Recorder Nigel Seed sentenced Clarke for nine months for four counts of burglary and two counts of dishonesty and false misrepresentation.

He also asked for nine other burglaries, which dated from December 9, 2008 to February 10, to be taken into consideration.

The judge said said: “While you may feel very sorry now, of course it is no comfort for the people and students who came home to find there homes had been violated and property stolen.

“Burglaries are a gross violation of people’s privacy and people are entitled to expect that this should not happen.”

Clarke’s conviction comes as Hampshire police continues its crackdown on burglars.

As part of Operation Nemesis more than 56 suspected criminals have arrested in connection with almost 1,000 burglaries since January.