A HOMELESS man who raided a home and stole a water tank has been jailed.

Paul Tidbury, 29, broke into an unoccupied house in Church Hill, Wickham, in September this year.

He ransacked the property before taking clothing and a copper water tank before fleeing the scene.

Residents returned home to find significant water damage inside the building as a result of the tank being stolen.

Tidbury, of no fixed abode, admitted a single count of burglary at Reading Crown Court on December 6 and was jailed for two years and five months.

Police constable Nigel Woodall, based at Newbury police station, said: "This was a good result for the victim, who will have the satisfaction of knowing the Tidbury will be spending the foreseeable future in prison.

"This sentence should send the message that the courts take a dim view of those who make the decision to commit these offences."