A BURGLAR was caught on webcam wearing a hat with what appears to be the word ‘criminal’ on it as he raided a student home.

Prolific offender Justin Guy, of Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, claimed he had broken into the property in Pine Road on the “spur of the moment” after drinking with friends on September 5.

While searching through the four-bed property, he unwittingly triggered a motion-sensor webcam belonging to one of the students and filmed himself raiding a bedroom.

Keely Harvey, prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, said all but one of the students were away for the summer break at the time of the burglary.

However, the fourth occupant had only left to go to work, and returned home late in the evening.

Guy, 44, stole £3,750-worth of items, including computers, games consoles, an iPod, a Kindle, cash and jewellery.

He also stole the webcam.

The court heard that in the recorded footage, Guy could be heard saying: “Where’s the passport?”

A neighbour saw Guy climbing over a fence as the victim returned home.

The defendant made good his escape, but was arrested several days later.

He initially denied a charge of burglary before magistrates, but pleaded guilty when he appeared at the crown court.

Earlier this week, he told police he would help them find the stolen items, Ms Harvey said.

“He took them to a country lane where a purse that didn’t belong to the victims of this burglary was found. Then he refused to give them any more information,” she said.

“He has many convictions - some 43 convictions for 135 offences.”

Les Smith, mitigating, said: “At first blush, it looks very bad indeed for Mr Guy.” Mr Smith said the offence had taken place after the defendant relapsed into heroin use after a friend’s death.

“Upon his last entry to prison, he made a deep promise to himself and others that he would not make someone a victim again,” the barrister added.

Guy, who had been working as a gardener, had been out for a drink with friends on the night of the burglary. “He reverted to type,” Mr Smith said.

“His friend had got him work as a gardener, hence the gloves he was wearing [in the webcam footage].”

Judge Peter Crabtree said the victims had been left with “feelings of violation and fear of further intrusions”.

“You have written a letter to me which expresses regret and understanding of the impact of your offending,” the judge said.

“You have indicated you have determination to change and you have made early contact with relevant support organisations in prison.”

Judge Crabtree sentenced Guy to 876 days in prison - a mandatory three-year sentence less 20 per cent for the defendant’s guilty plea.