A PROLIFIC burglar who stole jewellery, handbags, credit cards and a baking tin from properties in Boscombe has been jailed.

Felix Joseph Crowe, aged 22, of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to more than two years in prison after admitting two charges of burglary, an attempted burglary and possessing a bladed article.

On Friday, June 16, Bournemouth Crown Court heard that the first incidents took place on Saturday, May 13 this year.

The resident of a flat in Walpole Road left her property locked around 12pm and returned around an hour later to find a number of items had been taken including a tablet, a handbag, a watch and other items of jewellery.

At 12.15pm that same day a man in a flat at Grosvenor Gardens reported that someone had attempted to enter his property through a bedroom window while he was inside.

The window was damaged and an ornament had been knocked over but nothing was stolen.

Then around 3am on Sunday, May 14 the resident of a flat in Florence Road discovered her handbag, containing a purse with cards and cash, had been stolen from her lounge while she was at home. Cigarettes, perfume and a watch were also taken.

The victim, a woman in her 70s, called the police and around 20 minutes later saw her security light come on and a figure come to her door. The figure then left and she contacted the police again.

Crowe was arrested in Boscombe at around 8.35pm that evening, after initially attempting to make off when seen by officers.

He was found to be in possession of one of the bank cards stolen from the victim in Florence Road as well as a knife with a wooden handle.

The address where he had been staying was searched and a black bin and baking tin that had been taken from the Walpole Road property were found.

Detective Constable Chris Raspini, of Dorset Police’s priority crime team, said: “Burglaries can be very distressing experiences for homeowners and I hope this sentence sends out a message that these offences will not be tolerated."