A FATHER-of-three from Fawley who broke into the isolated home of a recently-deceased woman, was jailed for 18 months at Southampton Crown Court.

Derek Haynes, 36, of Heather Road, knew the house was empty and was only caught by police making a check on the property which had been targeted by other thieves after she had been detained in hospital.

Barnaby Shaw, prosecuting, said Haynes, pictured, ran away when he saw the police coming down the drive of the Chilworth house, leaving behind his pick-up truck.

They remained on the scene and more than two hours later, Haynes returned - but in different clothing and footwear. He said two piles of property were stacked outside the house when he arrived and denied he had been inside.

But a footprint found to match his original footwear proved otherwise, said Mr Shaw.

It was not the first time Haynes had appeared in court for burglary.

Judge Christopher Leigh QC said that between 1978-91 he had made ten court appearances for similar offences and last year for attempted burglary he was given community service which he considered was "too demeaning" to do.

Daniel Hudson, mitigating, said Haynes felt "gutted" by what he had done and apologised to his family and friends for letting them down.

Passing sentence, the judge described the burglary as particularly mean.