A THIEF was unable to attend his court hearing because he locked himself out of his home while walking his dog.

Jonathan Perry was due to be sentenced at Southampton Magistrates' Court yesterday, after pleading guilty to three counts of theft and a count of fraud.

But his solicitor told the court he had been able to attend because he had locked himself out of his home.

The court heard that the 44-year-old, from Chandler's Ford, had taken his dog out for a walk "semi-dressed".

But Perry had found himself unable to get back into his home on his return.

His solicitor asked to adjourn the hearing, as Perry was waiting for his housing association to help him get back into his home.

Magistrates agreed to postpone the hearing until next month.

At an earlier hearing, Perry pleaded guilty to stealing £74 worth of alcohol from Waitrose in Chandler's Ford in March last year.

He also admitted stealing a Dewalt drill from B&Q, as well as a handbag from a woman while at The Pavilion on the Park in Eastleigh.

Perry, of Meon Crescent, Chandler's Ford, also pleaded guilty to fraud – for using a credit card belonging to another person.

His sentencing will now take place on March 24.