A BURGLAR who climbed into a flat through an open window while the homeowner sat watching a film, before stealing cash, has been jailed. 

Jamie Chandler climbed through an open bedroom window in a Basingstoke flat as the victim sat on a reclining chair watching a movie on November 27, 2022.

Under the effects of alcohol and drugs, Chandler demanded the victim, whose name and address cannot be given for legal reasons, hand over cash.

Police were called to the scene and samples from the window, including DNA and footprints, were taken - which matched Chandler. 

On February 18, 2023, the 33-year-old was arrested and one of the pairs of trainers found at his address matched the footprints near the window.

It had been alleged that Chandler had a machete with him when he carried out the crime. 

Chandler previously pleaded guilty to breaking into the flat and taking £70 from the victim, but not guilty to aggravated burglary.

Following a two-day trial at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, July 6, a jury found no evidence of Chandler carrying a machete when he broke into the victim's home.

READ MORE: Basingstoke man found not guilty of machete burglary

At the same court on Thursday, August 31, he was jailed for 22 months.

During the sentencing in mitigation, Alexandra Chessum said: "He indicated in March that he accepted going into the house at the first opportunity he had to put that plea to the court.

"He is in a good place, he has spent time inside and he is detoxed I would suggest Mr Chandler returns to the community."

Recorder Richard Tutt gave credit to Chandler for pleading guilty to burglary at the earliest opportunity.

He said: "In the early hours of the morning you climbed through the bedroom window of the ground floor flat and when you went to where the victim was sitting in a chair in his living room you demanded he handed you cash."

SEE ALSO: Driver arrested after trying to evade police in Basingstoke

He contined: "You say on the day of the incident you were intoxicated with alcohol and had used crack cocaine and heroin.

"The offence was committed at night and the victim was vulnerable although I don’t say you targeted him."

The court heard that Chandler has already served more than the equivalent of a 12-month prison sentence, when in custody for this offence. 

The 22-month sentence includes the time he has already spent in prison.

The judge also put a restraining order in place forbidding Chandler from contacting the victim for five years.