A “REPEAT” burglar has been jailed for more than three years after targeting homes in Bournemouth.

Joseph John Sargeant, 50, of Enfield Road in Christchurch, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday (July 5), after admitting two dwelling burglaries and an attempted burglary.

The first burglary occurred at a flat in West Hill Road on December 19, 2018, while the occupants were out during the day.

The rooms were searched and a number of jewellery items were taken as well as watches, a coat and Louis Vuitton bags.

CCTV obtained from a neighbouring premises showed a man entering the block of flats shortly after 12pm and leaving around 15 minutes later with the stolen property.

The man was identified as Sargeant by an officer who watched the CCTV.

The second burglary happened at a flat in Watkin Road on January 11, 2019. The home had been left unoccupied for much of the day and at 7.15pm the victim was contacted by her bank in relation to a number of transactions at local shops and businesses. She realised that a wallet, which had been in the lounge, was missing.

CCTV was obtained from several of the locations where the card was used, and again the defendant was identified from the footage.

On February 13, officers were making enquiries about an unrelated matter in Moorland Road when they were approached by a resident who had filmed an attempt to force entry to a property on their mobile phone.

Police said the footage showed a man trying to force entry via the front door of the address before going round to the side of the home and out of view. No entry was gained to the property.

Officers who viewed the footage once again identified Sargeant as the offender.

He was arrested by officers in Bournemouth on March 18, 2019.

Sargeant was jailed for three years and nine months in total.

Police Constable Liam Moss, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “Joseph Sargeant is a repeat burglar who targeted people’s homes and showed no respect for their possessions.

“I am glad that through our investigations we were able to identify Sargeant as the man responsible for these offences and bring him before the court.”