Man jailed for burgling same Southampton property twice in one night

A Southampton man has been sentenced for committing two burglaries at the same address across one evening in the city.

Joseph Horgan, 41, of Howard Road, appeared at Southampton Crown Court today (Thursday 14 December) where he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

The sentence comes after Horgan pleaded guilty to committing two burglaries at the same address on one evening in Southampton.

It was reported to police that at approximately 9.40pm on Thursday 27 July 2023 entry had been gained to a student accommodation block at Back of the Walls in the city centre.

The court heard how Horgan had gained access to the building behind other residents as they were entering.

He was seen on CCTV wandering around communal areas of the building carrying a bag of tools. He then stole items of post and left via a rear window. At 10.15pm he was captured on CCTV returning to the premises via the same window wearing slightly different clothing. He then removed a 65 inch television from a wall using the tools he had in his possession and carried it out of the building via the window.

Horgan was identified from the CCTV footage, arrested and charged with two counts of burglary. He pleaded guilty at a hearing in November, when he was remanded into custody.

Horgan has been sentenced to a further one month in custody for offences he committed in 2022 for which he had previously received a suspended sentence. The burglary offences were committed in breach of the suspended sentence.

Police Staff Investigator Stephen Hortin of the Western Area Crime Team, who led the investigation, said: “I am pleased that justice has been served today for the victims within this student premises and also for the wider law-abiding communities of Southampton.

“Horgan is a repeat offender who appears unwilling or unable to stop causing trauma to his victims by entering their homes and stealing their valued property.

“I hope that the victims and residents of Southampton will be reassured that we have worked hard to bring this case, as well as countless others, before the court and that a prolific offender is now facing the consequences of his actions in prison. Furthermore, I hope that this reassures people that Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary will continue to pursue those who commit crime and make the lives of innocent people a misery and bring them to justice.”

For advice on how to help protect your home from crime visit: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/