A PERSISTENT burglar who stole thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes from shops in Hampshire has been locked up for five years.

Andrew Pepper, 36, pictured, was initially stopped after police saw the number plates of his van covered up.

When they examined the vehicle they found tools, including a sledgehammer, gloves and bolt croppers he used for the raids on premises, some of which he targeted twice.

Southampton Crown Court heard that amongst his targets was the Co-op in Victoria Road, Netley, and Tesco Express in Broad Street, Alresford.

Pepper, of Fabers Yard, Winchester, admitted three counts of burglary and one of going equipped to burgle. He also asked for 14 other offences of burglary and two of attempted burglary to be considered.

Judge Derwin Hope told him: “You have an appalling record.”

Prosecutor Eleanor Fargin said Pepper was connected to one of the burglaries after leaving his DNA at the scene. After being arrested he told interviewing officers of his technique, which was to smash the shop window with a weapon, fill bags with the cigarettes and then drive off. – and the time – “two minutes, boom, boom”.

Pepper also confessed he had carried out the raids with others, but refused to name his associates.