A MAN has been jailed after making a 'criminal career' out of stealing from cars.

Edward Butler was convicted of five offences including four counts of theft from a motor vehicle.

He was also convicted for the handling of stolen goods after attempting to steal a Subaru Forester to the value of £25,000.

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The thefts took place place between January 27 and 29 in Burghclere.

He appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday, September 8 to be sentenced.

Basingstoke Gazette: Edward Butler. Credit: Hampshire Police Edward Butler. Credit: Hampshire Police (Image: Hampshire Police)

Prosecuting Mathew Lawson said: “Police were patrolling the area after reports that cars had been broken into. Officers had been instructed by members of the public who said they had seen a strange man and the defendant had been seen to leave the scene.

“A police pursuit had to be stopped because the defendant rammed cars. After this police found that three cars had been broken into.”

The court heard how he smashed the windows of the cars before stealing items from the vehicles in the Beacon Hill area.

The first vehicle belonged to Juliet Thompson in which Butler stole items including air pod speakers, a handbag and a wallet. From another he stole a jacket belonging to Nigel Cripps. Items were also stolen from a third vehicle belonging to Sarah Lewis.

Two days before the spate of thefts on January 27, he also stole a set of number plates from a vehicle.

Defending, Bridget O’Hagan said that all items stolen were recovered and said Butler, of Heathfield Road, Wandsworth, took full responsibility for his actions.

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The court also heard how he had a long history of car-related crimes including 24 convictions for a total of 203 other offences.

Judge Richard Parkes QC sentenced Butler to 14 months in prison for all offences.

In his sentencing he told the court that it was clear Butler has “made a criminal career out of stealing from cars".