A 21-year old man has been jailed for 16 months after admitting four burglaries in West Berkshire.

Michael Hankin, of no fixed abode, was sentenced yesterday (10th November) at Reading Crown Court.

He admitted to:

    * A house burglary in Buckingham Road, Newbury, on 19 September
    * A house burglary in The Henry’s, Thatcham, on 2 September
    * A garage burglary in Westfield Road, Thatcham on 8 September
    * A shed burglary in Greenham Road, Newbury on 10 September.

He also asked for 25 other offences, including 12 burglaries to be taken into consideration.

Det Insp Carl Borges, from Newbury CID, said: “There is no doubt that we regard Hankin as a prolific burglar and we are delighted that a lot of hard work has resulted in him being put behind bars.

“The burglary at The Henry’s was particularly nasty as it took place at night while the owners were at home.

“He is one of a number of significant arrests we have made recently through Operation Breaker.

“House burglary is a horribly intrusive crime that can have a really devastating effect on the victims and we are determined to bring those responsible for these crimes in West Berkshire to justice.”

Operation Breaker is a force wide initiative aimed at reducing burglary across the Thames Valley region.