A BABY-FACED serial burglar who went on a three-month crime spree in Salisbury and Durrington is now behind bars, with the police proclaiming that the streets are “safer now he is in prison”.

Josh Chamberlain was involved in half a dozen burglaries, Salisbury Crown Court heard, including one which resulted in him flipping a stolen truck during a police pursuit.

The 21-year-old was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to six burglaries, one attempted burglary, two counts of aggravated vehicle taking, two of taking a motor vehicle without consent, three of driving while disqualified, two of failing to provide a specimen for analysis, possession of a Class B drug, and two of driving without insurance.

The offences took place between June 15 and August 31 last year.

Appearing at court on Friday, it was heard that between June 15 to 18 he broke into a house in Bulford Hill in Durrington and stole two sets of keys, £163 and a Nissan Micra. In the same period a neighbouring property was also broken into. Keys and a motorcycle were taken.

The Micra was later picked up by numberplate recognition and found by officers parked on a side road in Tilshead with the defendant, who was subsequently arrested, standing next to it.

The following month, on July 28, a Volkswagen Golf was stolen after a burglary at a home in High Street, Durrington. Another property was also broken into in Clover Lane. The court heard the female occupant was awoken at around 4.20am to find the defendant in her bedroom. Money was stolen from her bag that had been at the side of the bed.

The stolen VW was later found by police near Pewsey and the court heard the defendant was found by a police handler and dog hiding in trees nearby.

The defendant, formerly of Tollgate Road, Salisbury, said he had been with a friend and did not know if the vehicle had been stolen when interviewed by police.

When the vehicle was returned the owner found a bag of cannabis on the back seat.

A further two burglaries and one attempted break-in were committed in Fairview Road and Castle Road, Salisbury

During the burglary in Fairview Road, a Ford Ranger was stolen along with a mobile phone and wallet which had been left in the kitchen.

On the same day at around 11.40pm there was an attempted break-in at a house in Castle Road. Then shortly before midnight another property on that same road was broken into and a figure was seen “creeping” along the hallway before being chased out the house by the victim.

Police were later alerted to a Ford Ranger being driven at “excessive speeds”, which turned out to be the vehicle stolen from Fairview Road.

After a police pursuit the truck ended up spinning out of control and rolled over on the driver’s side after striking a kerb - trapping the defendant inside.

An officer had to break the window to get him out and the defendant was taken to Salisbury District Hospital.

He told police he was drunk and did not remember anything. He denied being the driver of the truck.

Andrew Stone, defending, said in the three-month period of his offending his life had “broken into pieces” - he had lost his job, relationship and his use of cocaine and alcohol had increased. He was also kicked out of his home.

He told the court that Chamberlain worked through an agency and previously had a job handling gun powder and explosives for the army.

“On the three occasions we’re talking about the drinking and drug taking got to such a level that he was not really any longer in control of what he was doing,” said Mr Stone, who added that the defendant had fallen in with a “a group of friends that were no good for him”.

He said: “I’m seeing a greater and greater sense that he wants to move on from this period in his life.”

In sentencing, Judge Richard Parkes QC said: “All this offending took place at night while the occupiers were present.”

“There is no escaping the need for a substantial sentence," he added.

As well as a custodial sentence, Judge Richard Parkes QC disqualified Chamberlain from driving for two years and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £149. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

Detective Constable Mark Welch said: “Burglary in particular can be really upsetting and distressing for victims who should feel safe within their own homes – Chamberlain’s actions have left a number of people no doubt feeling extremely upset and this behaviour will simply not be tolerated.

“Even when he was spotted driving a stolen vehicle, he attempted to evade police and led officers on a chase through the city before rolling the vehicle – it is really lucky that nobody was injured as a result of his mindless actions. Chamberlain is a prolific offender and I believe the streets of Salisbury are far safer now he is in prison.”