A MAN has been sentenced after a string of burglaries across three counties, including from a South Somerset community centre.

Sonnie Marsh, 20, of Greetham Street, Portsmouth, appeared in Taunton Crown Court on Wednesday 14 March and admitted a long list of crimes spreading across Somerset, Hampshire and West Sussex.

They were:
•           burgling a house in Stoford in December 2017
•           burglary with intent to steal at a community centre in Crewkerne the same month
•           burglary at a business in Horsham in November 2017
•           burglary at a business in Littlehampton in November 
•           burglary of a dwelling in Portchester, Hampshire, in October 2017
•           burglary of a business in Portsmouth in September 2017
•           two counts of fraud by false representation, using stolen bank cards

He asked the court to take into consideration a further four burglaries other than dwellings, three in Portsmouth and one in Crewkerne.

He was sentenced to a two-year community order including 150 hours of unpaid work, 35 days of rehabilitation activity requirement, an alcohol treatment programme and education training sessions.

A police spokesman said: "(We) are grateful for information from the public which helped lead to this conviction following an appeal on social media after the Stoford burglary.

"Officers remind everyone they can help to keep their neighbourhood safe by reporting suspicious incidents.

"If you see someone acting suspiciously around a neighbour’s property, call police straight away.

"If they’re obviously breaking in, ring 999. Otherwise, call the non-emergency number 101. Operators are on hand 24/7."

To keep your own home secure police advise:
•           locking up and setting the alarm, if you have one, at night as well as when you go out 
•           making sure your door is locked by turning the key – some 'paddle and stub'-handled doors might seem to be locked by lifting the handle, but can still be opened from outside 
•           keeping doors and windows locked if you’re not in the same room
•           never leaving the key in the lock or in sight of the letterbox
•           fitting a letterbox cage
•           keeping handbags, wallets and other portable valuables out of sight 
•           joining Neighbourhood Watch

For more information, visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk