Two years' jail for bungling burglar chased away by homeowners

A BURLEY man who was chased from a property he burgled on New Year’s Day has been jailed for more than two years.

Aaron Phillips (37), of Meadow Close, tried to take a television from the home he targeted but was foiled when he could not work out how to remove it from the wall, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

He picked up a pair of trainers instead and fled when the two residents, who were upstairs, went after him during the incident at 12.30pm on 1st January, the court was told.

Phillips was captured on CCTV climbing through a kitchen window to get into the property, at Windham Road, Bournemouth, having failed to get access through the doors.

He was subsequently linked to the scene through forensic examination, identified through the CCTV footage, and arrested at his home.

At court Phillips admitted burglary plus a theft charge in relation to a shoplifting offence on 14th November 2019 at the Bookends store in High Street, Christchurch.

Phillips was jailed for a total of 29 months.

PC Chris Raspini, of Dorset Police’s priority crime team, said afterwards: “I am pleased that through our investigations we were able to identify Aaron Phillips as the man responsible for these offences so he could face justice at court.

“We appreciate the distress that can be caused by having an intruder force their way into your home and we will do all we can to ensure those who commit burglaries are identified and held accountable for their actions.”