A FORMER semi-pro footballer has been jailed after he took more than £1,000 to fit a new boiler – but didn’t carry out the work.

Ben Rizzo, who previously had a stint playing semi-professionally for Lymington Town Football Club, appeared in court yesterday after pleading guilty to the theft of £1,400.

Southampton Crown Court heard 28-year-old Rizzo, of Furze Croft, New Milton, had agreed to carry out the work for taxi driver Simon Tanner in May last year, with Mr Tanner paying £1,400 upfront, and then the same amount once it had been finished.

Southampton Crown Court Southampton Crown Court

However, prosecutor Edward Elton told the court: “No work was done and there was never any repayment.

“The defendant said it was the supplier’s fault. By the time the boiler needed by him was in stock, he might have spent the money.”

Mr Elton also read a victim impact statement from Mr Tanner, who is “approaching his 70s”.

He said: “I have been left extremely angry.

“I’ve been left with a large financial burden to shoulder. I have had to work numerous extra hours in my role as a taxi driver.

“It’s had a considerable impact on my life, time I could have spent at home.”

The court also heard how Rizzo had previously been given a 28-month suspended sentence and an order to carry out unpaid work and rehabilitation sessions for two high-value thefts and possession of cocaine.

As previously reported, Rizzo stole two diamond rings worth £40,000 from a home in Chilbolton, near Stockbridge.

Months later he stole £10,000 worth of sentimental jewellery from the home of Sophie Riem, the wife of the former acting dean of Winchester Cathedral Roly Riem, from their home in The Close, Winchester.

Items stolen included a wedding necklace, a fire opal ring worth more than £4,000 and engagement earrings.

Both of the rings from the theft in Chilbolton were recovered, but only half of the items stolen from Mrs Riem’s home were found.

The hearing at Winchester Crown Court in June last year heard the theft was to fund Rizzo’s drug addiction, and on both occasions Rizzo took items when the homeowner was out after being trusted to carry out maintenance work.

However, defence barrister Mark Florida-James asked Judge Christopher Parker QC to be “merciful” in his sentencing.

Mr Florida-James said: “He knows what he is facing and knows he has been an idiot. He is ashamed of how he has behaved.”

He added that “talented plumber and engineer” Rizzo was embarrassed about the fact he had let his family down.

Sentencing Rizzo, who told his family “I love you” and cried out as he was jailed for four months, only half of which will be served behind bars, Judge Parker said: “Your compliance with that order (for the previous offences) has been poor.”

He said of the 300 hours’ unpaid work, Rizzo still had nearly 130 hours outstanding.

Judge Parker added: “You brought this on your own head.

“There was plainly a breach of trust. It was a substantial loss.”

Judge Parker declined to make a compensation order because of Rizzo’s financial situation and the prison sentence handed down.