A SOUTHAMPTON man broke into a luxury boat and lived inside it for four days after becoming homeless.

Carl Williams damaged a door to access the boat, which was moored up in a Southampton marina as it was being prepared for sale.

But he was caught, in March last year, when the agent attempting to sell the boat boarded the boat and discovered the damage.

As he was inspecting CCTV, Williams returned and claimed he owned the boat, but was later arrested by police.

Williams was charged with criminal damage, caused to the door.

Williams also damaged the boat's toilet, which he had used but was unable to flush as the boat was not plugged into the marina's water system.

As a result, the court heard the toilet was "overflowing" and the boat "smelt of faeces".

The court heard the total damage was approximately £850.

Representing Williams, Chris Gaiger said his client was "absolutely disgusted" at what he had done to the bathroom and he was "upset" that someone else had to clear it up.

He added that Williams was homeless at the time and the decision to live on the boat was a "desperate act".

Williams, who gave the court an address of Cuckmere Lane, Southampton, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage.

Magistrates jailed Williams for seven days.