A MAN who broke into a rural home before being caught by police using DNA analysis has been jailed for more than two years.

Sean Jonathan Cooper, 28 and of Narrowleaf Drive in Ringwood, pleaded guilty to the offence of burglary at Southampton Crown Court on Monday, January 6, following an offence in November last year.

The court heard how, on November 6, 2022, between 3am and 1pm, Cooper broke into a home in Bowerwood Road in Fordingbridge through a downstairs bathroom window.

Cooper was identified after a blood sample was found in the bathroom, and two fingerprints were found on broken glass from the window.

He was arrested on November 28 and remanded in custody. He appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court on November 30 where he was further remanded until his sentencing.

Bournemouth Echo: Sean Jonathan Cooper, 28 and of Ringwood, has been jailed for burglary in the New ForestSean Jonathan Cooper, 28 and of Ringwood, has been jailed for burglary in the New Forest (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

At his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, February 7, he was jailed for a total of 29 months in prison.

A further four burglaries, all committed by Cooper in September 2022, were taken into consideration by the judge when passing sentence.

Police staff investigator Stephen Hortin of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s dedicated burglary unit, Operation Hawk, lead the investigation. He said: “We take burglaries very seriously, and we will use all the tools at our disposal, including forensics, to bring offenders to justice.

“I hope this result offers closure to both victims, and serves as a warning to others who think about committing such crimes.”

Visit hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime online for more information on how to protect your home from burglary.