A BURGLAR who forced his way into people’s homes as they slept to steal their valuables has been put behind bars.

Thomas Newman, 24, of Hythe Hill, Colchester, raided five homes across the town earlier this year and escaped with a BMW, a drone, cash and watches.

Newman embarked on his burglary spree between May 22 and June 6 this year.

He entered homes in Aspen Road, Dahlia Walk, Churnwood Road, Artillery Street and Redwood Close, stealing a hoard of personal possessions while the occupants were sleeping.

The burglary in Dahlia Walk was the only one where the occupants were away at the time of the crime.

Newman admitted to five counts of burglary on July 9.

He appeared for sentencing in Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.

Peter Walsh, prosecuting, said Newman forced his way into four of the homes while the occupants were asleep.

He said Newman tried to sell a Nintendo Switch, he had stolen from one of the homes, at CEX in Colchester.

However, the owners of the stolen item contacted the shop as they said it was missing, and the police were notified.

Police entered the address Newman was staying at and found drug paraphernalia, and various items stolen in the burglaries.

They also found a balaclava, torch and gloves.

Emma Nash, defending, said: “The greatest mitigation comes from his timely guilty plea.

“He is a young man of 24 years old. His mother died when he was 18 and he went to live with his father, but that did not work out and he became homeless and lost his job.

“He was using occasional drugs and sofa surfing. He became desperate and that’s why he committed these crimes.”

Judge Christopher Morgan sentenced Newman to 21 months imprisonment for four counts of burglary to run concurrently, with 15 months for the unoccupied burglary.