A MAN has been sentenced to four years in prison after carrying out nearly 20 burglaries in the New Forest.

Anthony Deville, 34, of Cheviot Drive, Dibden, carried out a total of 19 burglaries in the Totton, Hythe and Dibden areas between November 2015 and January 2016 to fund his drug habit.

Deville was charged and pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and one attempt burglary.

He then went on to admit to committing a further 15 other burglaries, which were taken into consideration by the judge at Southampton Crown Court on Friday.

Police staff investigator Joanne Moger said: “This was a complex case that a large team worked on for many months, striving to get justice for the victims.

“We worked closely with the victims through our site ‘Is this Yours?’ which is an online photo bank of recovered property.

"We reunited 12 burglary victims with property through a number of policing enquiries.

"Deville also assisted police in the recovery of further property by indicating where he had disposed of further items he had stolen.

“These admissions have allowed us to provide closure and support to the victims, knowing that the offender has been brought to justice.”