A TROWBRIDGE man has been jailed for two years after a court heard how he made off with more than £1,000 worth of property in a spate of break-ins.

Luke Leeson raided four flats in Kingsbury Square, Melksham, and tried to break into others during his night-time spree.

He was caught after one of the residents of the building, which is used to home people on housing association and council waiting lists, spotted him a few days later.

Jonathan Simpson, prosecuting, told Swindon crown court the 22-year-old had gone to the flats at about 4am on Sunday June 30 last year.

"He approached the rear of the building and removed a complete window which led to the communal part of the building," he said.

Leeson tried to go towards the front of the building but found his way blocked by doors which were alarmed, so he left and went round to the front.

"At the front he went through a narrow window and entered the communal hallway. On the occasion the hallway provided access to all 29 private flats in the building.

"Each is a separate dwelling and he entered four of them and tried to get into a number of others. Various items of property were stolen.

"There is CCTV footage of this. One of the burglary victims saw the defendant a short time later in the DSS office in Trowbridge. After viewing CCTV he was identified as Leeson."

When arrested he refused to answer police questions and when forensic tests on blood found at the scene revealed it was him he declined the opportunity of another interview.

Mr Simpson said credit cards, jewellery, mobile phones, cash, sun glasses, a leather bag and keys were among the items taken worth a total of £1,135.

The court was told Leeson had a string of previous convictions including a number for burglary. At an earlier hearing Leeson, of The Halve, Trowbridge, pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary and one of attempted burglary.

Paul Orton, defending, said his client had a serious drink problem and could not remember what happened on the night of the offence because he was so drunk.

Jailing him for two years Judge Tom Longbotham said: "You have pleaded guilty to five offences of burglary. It seems to matter not very much whether you were drunk or not. These are serious night-time burglaries."