A MENTALLY-ill criminal who fished out keys through a cat flap and burgled a Basingstoke home has had his jail term cut by top judges.

Michael Brooks, of no fixed abode, was locked up for five years at Winchester Crown Court in July last year.

The 34-year-old had admitted burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst disqualified and fraud.

The judge who sentenced him ordered that he should be detained in hospital for medical treatment due to his mental disorder.

Brooks' burglary victims had gone to bed and locked the doors of their Basingstoke home in July 2016.

They left their door key on the kitchen top, Judge Eleri Rees told London's Appeal Court on April 20.

When they awoke they found a handbag containing bank cards and cash, a jacket and wallet had been stolen.

Also taken were door keys and keys to a Peugeot 207, which was missing from the drive.

The house keys had been fished from the kitchen top through a cat flap and then the front door opened from the outside.

Police located Brooks driving the stolen car and a pursuit followed during which he hit speeds of 70mph.

He narrowly missed two pedestrians as he drove down a footpath and alleyway. The Peugeot was a write-off.

Brooks had used the stolen bank cards to make three contactless transactions, each for about £30.

He had 13 previous convictions, for 42 crimes, including manslaughter, the court heard.

But his barrister, Charley Pattison, argued that his sentence was far too tough and should be reduced.

Judge Rees, who was sitting with another judge, agreed, saying: "We are of the opinion it is too long."

She reduced Brooks sentence from five years to three years.