A SERIAL thief who burgled homes across East Hampshire while his victims slept has been jailed for nearly five years.

William Westbrook stole charity money from a club in Grayshott and burgled several homes on a Four Marks lane on the same night.

The 49-year-old also broke into a Selborne pub and burgled a Petersfield home before he was arrested early this year.

Westbrook, of Normanton Way, Basingstoke, was sentenced last Friday at Winchester Crown Court after admitting to nine counts of burglary.

A further 28 offences, which included burglaries in Petersfield and Four Marks, were also taken into consideration.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.