A MAN who broke into a Bournemouth home while the occupants slept has been handed down a three year prison sentence.

Colin Wayne Gill, aged 47 and of St Peters Road, Basingstoke, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday, February 25, after being found guilty of burglary and admitting three counts of fraud by false representation.

The court was told that Gill broke in while the family living there were all asleep.

He stole a purse which contained bank cards.

They were subsequently notified that their cards had been used at nearby stores including petrol stations in Bath Road and Holdenhurst Road with the transactions totalling £48.76.

Police Constable Liam Moss, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “We understand that having someone break into your home while you are asleep is a terrible violation of your privacy and it can be a very traumatic experience for victims.

“We are determined to do all we can to identify burglars such as Colin Gill and hold them accountable for their actions.”

The burglary – at the home in Cambridge Road – took place between 10.30pm on Saturday, October 19, 2019, and 4.30am the following morning.

Gill was identified by an officer from CCTV of the one of the card transactions and was subsequently arrested.