A BURGLAR has been jailed for five years after he stole jewellery worth almost £30,000 from homes in Hampshire and Dorset, including Winchester and Bishop's Waltham. 

Andrew Donoghue, 41, of no fixed abode, broke into seven properties before taking a number of items including jewellery, watches, gift vouchers and computer equipment.

The items which were stolen between 24 April 24 and May 17 worth a total of approximately £28,500.

Following a number of reports, officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Northern Area Crime Team launched an investigation and arrested Donoghue.

He was later charged with six counts of burglary dwelling and theft, one count of burglary dwelling – with intent to steal and one count of attempted burglary dwelling with intent to steal.

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Donoghue pleaded guilty to all offences and was jailed for a total of five years at Winchester Crown Court on Friday August 2.

The court heard that on April 24 he entered a property in Harewood Avenue, Bournemouth, and stole jewellery, cameras, computer equipment and gold and silver coins.

On May 3 an attempt was made to enter a property in Woodfield Drive, Winchester. Nothing was reported stolen.

On May 8, Donoghue entered a property in Sandy Lane, Colehill, Dorset, and stole jewellery.

On May 17, he entered two properties in Bernard Avenue, Four Marks, and stole jewellery; a property in Blackberry Lane, Four Marks, and stole gift vouchers, a mobile phone and jewellery; a property in Siskin Close, Bishop’s Waltham, and stole jewellery and watches; and a property in Warnford Road, Corhampton, and stole jewellery.

DS Adam Knight, of the Northern Area Crime Team, said: “Andrew Donoghue’s crime spree was targeted and brazen and I would like to thank the officers and staff who worked hard to gather the evidence against him.

“Breaking into someone’s home and stealing their property is an intrusive crime which causes immeasurable distress to its victims, and we do not underestimate the impact that this has on those who are affected.

“We work really hard to ensure that those who commit these crimes face the consequences of their actions. I hope that this result helps the victims of these burglaries to move forward and we will continue doing everything we can to support those affected by burglary and bring offenders before the courts.”