AN innocent woman was held by police for more than two hours after being arrested at her home shortly before midnight for suspected theft, Southampton Crown Court heard.

Anthony Burns had made a formal complain that Carmen Hanrahan, who had been staying with him and his wife before they fell out and she left, had taken his wife’s mobile phone.

In reality, said prosecutor Siobhan Linsley, Burns had sold the phone and a guitar belonging to Miss Hanrahan’s boyfriend which had been stored in his shed, to Cash Convertors in Eastleigh for more than £200.

Burns, 33, of Somers Way, Eastleigh, admitted one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice and two of theft.

Said to have 21 previous convictions, he received a 12- month suspended sentence.

Recorder Ian Lawrie told him his actions had been “particularly unsavoury”.

Nichola Attwood, defending, said Burns had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

She added: “There may been an element of revenge in this.

It was however impulsive.”