A MAN who admitted more than 20 burglaries, including one in Wilton, has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison.

Alan Byrne, of Beswick Avenue, Bournemouth, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, November 29 after admitting two burglary charges and asking for a further 22 offences to be taken into consideration when sentenced.

Between Wednesday, September 11 and Tuesday, September 17, a home in Hillcrest Road in Bournemouth was broken into and a number of items were taken.

A torch was recovered from the rear of the property and a forensic examination linked it to Byrne.

A shoe mark found at the scene also matched that of a pair of trainers found in Byrne’s possession when he was arrested on Wednesday, October 2.

The defendant admitted the burglary as well as another at an address in Jones Close in Wilton that occurred on the night of Sunday, September 22.

Byrne was charged with the two burglaries and subsequently admitted a further 22 dwelling burglaries, which were taken into consideration at the sentencing hearing.

These offences occurred between Saturday, August 10 and Friday, September 27. Of the burglaries, 15 were in Bournemouth, four in Wimborne, one in Wiltshire and two in Hampshire.

Detective Sergeant Adam Gill, of Dorset Police’s Priority Crime Team, said: “Alan Byrne was responsible for a large number of dwelling burglaries both in Dorset and neighbouring force areas and I am pleased that through our investigation we were able to identify him as the man responsible for these crimes.

“He clearly shows no regard for other people’s property and we are committed to ensuring that prolific burglars such as Byrne are brought before the courts.”