Prolific burglar and thief who terrorised Portsmouth and Southampton is jailed

William Strait, 32, of no fixed address, was locked up after appearing at Southampton Crown Court for charges of burglary, theft from a shop and going equipped to steal.

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Strait was found guilty of committing numerous offences across Southampton between December 2022 and up to this October - landing him a four month jail term. But he was also further recalled to prison following a previous conviction in March after he committed burglary, shoplifting and theft from a vehicle offences in Portsmouth and Southampton whilst still on probation. As a result, Strait will now be in prison until July 2024.

The court heard how Strait’s recent offences in Southampton saw him enter John Lewis in West Quay Shopping Centre at around 1.30pm on 11 October before he stole a quantity of alcohol.

On October 14 at TK Maxx on Above Bar Street he stole two bottles of perfume totalling £80. He then forced entry to a restaurant on St. Michaels Street at around 4.45am on 19 December 2022 where a quantity of cash and alcohol were stolen.

The office of The Red Funnel on Bugle Street was then broken into just after midnight on Christmas Day last year where IT equipment and other items worth thousands of pounds were stolen. The Dolphin Hotel in Osborne Road was also broken into just before 4am on 30 December 2022 - £400 of cash was stolen alongside a quantity of alcohol.

Police staff investigator Steve Hortin said: “I am pleased to see that a prolific criminal has been sent to prison for the crimes that he has committed and that he is now off the streets of Southampton.

“The ruling shows that despite being released from prison early following an earlier conviction, that William Strait showed a complete disregard for the criminal justice system and acted as if that was the end of the matter. However, he has been reminded that when released early he is at risk of being recalled to prison if he fails to behave in accordance to his probation conditions.

“It is hoped that he will learn an important lesson following his latest conviction and that, just as importantly, the general public feel reassured that the constabulary will continue to relentless pursue those who cause harm in our communities and secure justice for the crimes they have committed. We remain committed to protecting our local communities and hope that today’s result demonstrates that.”