A SERIAL burglar is back behind bars after being caught trying to raid another house.

Anthony Deville, 36, was jailed in 2016 after he admitted carrying out 18 burglaries at properties across the New Forest.

He was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

After being released he burgled another house and was caught by the property owner of the home he targeted in Mill Lane, Totton.

As he attempted to enter the home at around 6.40pm on April 26, Deville, who pleaded guilty to attempted burglary, disturbed the owner, who then contacted the authorities.

At his hearing in Southampton Crown Court, Deville, of Jackie Wigg Gardens, Totton, was sentenced to two years in jail.

Detective Sergeant Will Whale said: “The Operation Hawk team is delighted to have taken another burglar off the streets.

“Burglary offences cause concern in our communities and we will continue to work local officers to deal with offenders.”

In 2016, Deville was charged and pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and one attempt burglary.

He then attributed himself to 15 other burglaries which were taken into consideration by the judge at Southampton Crown Court.

The burglaries were carried out in areas of Totton, Hythe and Dibden to help fund Deville’s drug habit.

The case was described by Police Staff Investigation Joanne Moger as “complex” and that a large team worked months on the case.

She said: “We worked closely with the victims through our site ‘Is this Yours?’ which is an online photo bank of recovered property.

“We reunited 12 burglary victims with property through a number of policing enquiries.”

Deville assisted police in the recovery of further stolen property.